Category: Belle Brockhoff

Podium finish for Pullin at World Cup

24/1/2016

OWIA/NSWIS athlete Alex “Chumpy” Pullin has finished third in the Men’s Final of the Snowboard Cross World Cup event in Feldberg, Germany.

After finishing second in his semi-final, the two-time World Champion was locked in a tight battle in the final, eventually crossing the line third behind winner Nikolay Olyunin of Russia and Pierre Vaultier of France.

Pullin was pleased with his performance.

“I feel good about today; of course I would have liked to win, but third is okay,” Pullin said. "I look forward to another shot at it in the second race on Sunday."

In the women’s race, fellow OWIA/NSWIS athlete Belle Brockhoff also reached the final, but an error during the race saw her having to settle for sixth place.

Jarryd Hughes finished in 15th place after making it through to the quarter finals, while NSWIS rider Matthew Thomas finished 44th.

IMAGE: Alex "Chumpy" Pullin (right) celebrates on the podium © FIS/Oliver Kraus

Snowboard Cross athletes finalise preparations for WC resumption

19/1/2016

Feldberg, Germany will play host to the opening Snowboard Cross World Cup event of 2016 this weekend. It will be the first time Germany has hosted a World Cup in Snowboard Cross since 2004.

The OWIA Snowboard Cross team arrived back in Europe last week, with all team members training in Leysin, Switzerland in preparation for the resumption of competition.

Two time World Champion, Alex “Chumpy” Pullin says he can’t wait to get back to competing.

“I’m definitely very hungry to get to the start gate and get racing,” Pullin said.

“We’ve had a really good week here in Leysin; we’ve had some good snowfalls and a good little start section that we’ve been able to train on,” Pullin added.

Due to unseasonal snow conditions, the course has been shortened, however, head coach Ben Wordsworth thinks this could suit our athletes.

“Feldberg will be a sprint like World Cup which is shorter than usual, but it will be full size in terms of width,” Wordsworth said.

“We will also be running six man heats for the two World Cup events. We feel that this will benefit our athletes as they have the ability to be fast out of the start,” Wordsworth added.

Current standings for our Australian athletes:

Ladies:
5th - Belle Brockhoff

Men:
4th - Cam Bolton
9th - Alex Pullin
17th - Jarryd Hughes
22nd - Matthew Thomas

IMAGE: Alex Pullin leading the way in the last World Cup in Montafon held in December © FIS/Oliver Kraus

Bolton produces his best in Montafon & just misses podium

13/12/2015

OWIA/NSWIS athlete Cam Bolton, was the star for Australia on the opening day of the 2105/16 World Cup snowboard cross season by finishing fourth in Montafon, Austria.

It was Bolton’s best result yet, and while a medal eluded him, to make the final four was an indication of his improvement this season.

In the opening round of 32, four Australian male snowboard athletes were in action, and while Bolton and Alex "Chumpy" Pullin made it through, Jarryd Hughes and Matthew Thomas did not proceed to the next round.

Bolton, who finished second in his heat, followed it up with a win in his quarter final to be the only one of the four to make it through to the semi-finals - the round of eight. Pullin finished third in his second race of the day to join the others on the sidelines.

In the women’s event, Belle Brockhoff, who had qualified fifth fastest, won her opening race in the round of 16. In the semi-finals she crossed the line third to go into the small final, where she in am impressive performance she won her final race of the day to finish fifth overall.

As the country's now sole survivor in the field, Bolton’s great form continued in the semi, where he finished second to Austrian Markus Schairer.

In the final four, which included two Austrians and a Russian, Bolton crossed the line in fourth place to produce the best result of his career, beating the tenth place from Sierra Nevada in Spain in 2013.

“I led the final until the last jump where I made a mistake while hunting for speed," Bolton said. "Hell of a day! Well done to all the riders."

Pullin finished the day in ninth place but was delighted for his fellow-rider Bolton.

"Wasn't the best day of racing for me at Montafon," Pullin wrote. "Won the whole shot in all my heats but got caught up with Nikolay taking an inside line in the last turn before the finish straight."

"So happy for my mate Cam Bolton who threw down four massive runs to just miss the win right at the line and place fourth."

IMAGE: Men's finalists in Montafon, Cam Bolton (right) after the race © FIS

Sport Programs Update - Snowboard Cross

7/10/2015

The OWIA/NSWIS Snowboard Cross program have participated in a number of training camps and competition activities over the Australian domestic season.

A one week on snow training camp took place in late July at Perisher Resort where focus was placed on board testing and start section techniques.

In early August the team traveled to Mt Hotham to assist Ski and Snowboard Australia staff during the two day Snowboard Cross Futures initiative. The program has been most successful with over 50 young riders receiving mentoring & expert coaching from OWIA/NSWIS athletes and coaches.

The Snowboard Cross ANC races took place at the conclusion of the Futures program so that all participants had the opportunity to apply what they had learnt in a race environment while also being guided through the practice and training components of a competition.

In total four events took place over the Australian season at Mt Hotham in early August and September.

Alex “Chumpy” Pullin had an outstanding series winning all four Australian events. Cameron Bolton had two second place finishes behind Chumpy.

Belle Brockhoff was also in strong form winning three of the four events.

Jarryd Hughes has been recovering from injury and has been restricted in training activities. The plan is for Jarryd to rejoin full program activities during the Northern Hemisphere winter for World Cup competition.

Pullin second, Brockhoff fifth & Hughes eighth in final World Cup standings

22/3/2015

Two-time World Champion, OWIA/NSWIS rider Alex “Chumpy” Pullin, finished third in the men’s final as the Snowboard Cross World Cup season wrapped up in La Molina, Spain.

The podium placing meant Pullin finished the season ranked second overall, behind Lucas Eguibar, who became Spain’s first ever snowboard cross World Cup Champion.

Pullin, a winner in Veysonnaz last weekend, had a strong day on the testing La Molina course, his second consecutive podium ending his season well.

“It was really close today, but I guess I still feel a little bit of disappointment because if I would have won I would have snatched the globe,” Pullin said.

But Lucas (Eguibar) rode really strong this season and his results means he deserve the title.”

Fellow OWIA/NSWIS athlete, Belle Brockhoff finished fourth after qualifying for her third consecutive women’s final.

The young Victorian’s impressive season saw her finish fifth overall in the women’s World Cup standings.

Speaking after today’s final, Brockhoff said “I couldn’t hold onto first position from being a bit edge heavy in the soft snow in turns three and five, but I am happy with my season this year, and I already can’t wait until next season”.

The women’s final was taken out by two time World Junior Champion Charlotte Bankes of France, while in the men’s Canadian Christopher Robanske won a tight final in tough conditions, following heavy snowfall in the Pyrenees.

Jarryd Hughes missed qualifying for finals action, finishing in 34th place, while Cameron Bolton did not race sitting out with a shoulder injury sustained at the previous event n Switzerland.

Hughes ended the season with a World Cup ranking of eighth.

Final World Cup standings:

Men
1st - Lucas Eguibar (ESP)
2nd - Alex Pullin (AUS)
3rd - Nikolay Olyunin (RUS)

Women
1st - Nelly Moenne Loccoz (FRA)
2nd - Dominique Maltais (CAN)
3rd - Michela Moioli (ITA)

5th - Belle Brockhoff (AUS)

IMAGE: Alex Pullin (Left) on the podium in La Molina, Spain © FIS

Pullin wins Gold

16/3/2015

Two-time World Champion, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA) rider Alex “Chumpy” Pullin has won the second of the World Cup events in Veysonnaz, Switzerland on Sunday (Swiss time).

It was an impressive performance by the Australian, who lead every heat, including the final.

Pullin was ecstatic with the win and said he really wanted to make it happen today.

“I was a little disappointed yesterday, and came up today really hungry. You had to ride with a bit more feeling because the light was pretty flat,” Pullin said.

Pullin crossed the line in the six-man final ahead of Spain’s Lucas Eguibar in second and Canadian Kevin Hill in third.

OWIA athlete, Jarryd Hughes, backed up his eighth placing on Saturday with an impressive fourth on in the second event, just falling short of a podium finish but rounding out a great weekend for the 19 year-old.

In the women’s race, OWIA team member Belle Brockhoff made it through to her second consecutive final of the weekend. An error in the final proved costly, with Brockhoff settling for sixth for the second day in a row. The final was taken out by Canadian Dominique Maltais.

Cam Bolton did not take his place for the second event.

The riders now head to La Molina, Spain for next weekend’s final round.

Two top tens at Veysonnaz

15/3/2015

Australian snowboard cross athlete, Belle Brockhoff, has finished sixth at the World Cup event held at Veysonnaz in Switzerland.

In a day of strong racing, Brockhoff progressed with confidence through each round to make it to the final race of six competitors.

Victory went to Italian Michela Moiili with Frenchwoman Nelly Moenne Loccoz taking the silver.

After finishing fifth fastest in qualifying on Friday, the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWI) athlete finished second to Moenne Loccoz in the quarter finals. In the semi finals, she was again second, again behind Moenne Loccoz.

In the final race of six for the medals, the 2014 Olympian came unstuck near on the a very difficult course when well placed.

“In the big finals, I missed the landing on the last kicker to the flats, squatted it out as best as I could, but unfortunately couldn't stay on my feet and watched the pack ride to the finish line,” Brockhoff said.

“I feel that this has been a solid result regardless and grateful that I am in one piece. I’m very excited for tomorrow.”

Jarryd Hughes was the best of the male OWI athletes finishing in eighth outright. After setting the fourth fastest time in qualifying, the NSW rider was second in his opening heat. He then was quickest in his quarter finals, but was knocked out in the semis, finishing fifth in the six man field.

Two-time World Champion Alex Pullin, second in qualifying, finished second in his heat in the round of 48. But the two time World Champion was disqualified for his run in the quarter final and progressed no further, and must now wait until the second World Cup at the Swiss report tomorrow.

Cam Bolton, who was eighth fastest in qualifying, was knocked out in opening round of head-to-head racing.

Action continues in Veysonnaz tomorrow with another round of the World Cup, making up form events cancelled earlier in the season.

IMAGE: Belle Brockhoff (middle - blue bib) in action in Veysonnaz © FIS

Brockoff narrowly misses X-Games podium

24/1/2015

Belle Brockhoff has narrowly missed out on a podium result at her first X-Games event, finishing in fourth place.

The fourth place continues the strong season being enjoyed by Brockhoff, who placed seventh 10 days ago at the World Championships in Kreischberg, Austria.

American Lindsey Jacobellis was first, with Canada’s Dominique Maltais second and Frenchwoman Nelly Moenne Loccoz in third place.

Fellow OWIA/NSWIS athletes Cam Bolton and Jarryd Hughes made it through to the quarter finals in Aspen, with both athletes being eliminated from the event after finishing their heats in sixth place.

Pullin & Brockhoff top-8 at World Championships

17/1/2015

Alex Pullin and Belle Brockhoff were the leading Australian riders in the snowboard cross event at the FIS World Championships in Kreischberg, Austria, finishing in sixth and seventh places respectively.

While Pullin would have loved to have continued his four year reign as world champion, the OWIA athlete watched Italian Luca Matteotti take the crown.

The Italian captured his first major title, finishing ahead of silver medallist Kevin Hill from Canada and third placed American Nick Baumgartner.

Pullin was in dominant form in the early rounds, winning both his heats in the round of 32 and 16.

But in the semi-finals, he lost pace at a crucial time, and couldn’t rebuild the momentum required to win a place in the final four.

Instead he had to settle for sixth overall, with his OWIA/NSWIS teammates, Cameron Bolton finishing 15th and Jarryd Hughes in 31st.

Australia’s sole representative in the women’s snowboard cross, Belle Brockhoff, was seventh in a strong performance on the tight and testing Kreischberg course. Brockhoff also was in very good form in her round of 16 and was very much in the mix in the round of 8, before coming together with another rider in a racing incident, and losing speed.

The title went to American Lindsey Jacobellis, with France’s Nelly Moenne Loccoz taking the silver and the bronze medal to Italian Michela Moioli.

IMAGE: Alex "Chumpy" Pullin in action during qualifying at the World Championships © Oliver Kraus

Snowboard Cross team make strong start to the season

4/12/2014

The OWIA/NSWIS Snowboard Cross team has competed in their first two events of the international season, taking part in the Austrian National Championships and a Europa Cup in Pitzal.

With the first World Cup of the season in Montafon, Austria, now cancelled due to a lack of snow, the Pitzal event is currently the only event on the FIS Snowboard Cross calendar prior to the World Championships on January 15-16.

In the Austrian National Championships on day one, Alex Pullin and Belle Brockhoff were the leading Australian athletes on the podium, placing second and third respectively.

Cam Bolton placed fifth overall, after finishing first in the small final.

Returning from a knee injury, Jarryd Hughes placed 13th after advancing through to the quarter finals.

The Europa Cup event on day two was another successful day for the team, with Belle Brockhoff taking the win and Alex Pullin in third place.

Cameron Bolton was unable to advance beyond the first round of racing in equal 17th. Jarryd Hughes did not start in the second event.

IMAGE: Belle Brockhoff celebrates her Europa Cup win © Belle Brockhoff

Brockhoff and Bright pushed to the limit

16/2/2014

Belle Brockhoff of Australia competes during the Ladies' Snowboard Cross Seeding at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Rosa Khutor Extreme Park on February 16, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.© Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Australian speed-demons Belle Brockhoff and Torah Bright have been pushed to the limit in the women’s Snowboard Cross event, full of thrills and spills. After two rounds of seeding, Brockhoff and Bright drew each other in the quarter-finals. Not wanting to take out her teammate, Bright held back and was ultimately bundled out, coming fifth after a crash towards the end of the course.

"I made a pass and I was behind Belle and catching and on the last jump before turn five I was hauling," Bright said.

"I was picking up so much speed I was like 'oh no how do I manage this?'. I was cutting so far left to make sure I didn't touch her and fall. It was close and in my head I was like 'don’t take out your teammate you'll be the worst Australian ever'.

"When I fell I looked up and saw she was still on her feet I breathed a sigh of relief and was so grateful."

The 27-year-old ended up being ranked 18th, in an event she only recently picked up.

"I love it. Anything can happen you see people out in the lead and they just fall you see people change positions and anything can happen. That's what's great and that why it is such a great spectator sport. You don't need to understand why a judge scored something that way you don't need to understand the trickery."

Snowboard Cross was Bright's last event at Sochi 2014, in a busy program, which included seventh in Slopestyle on Day 2 of the Games and a sensational Silver in Halfpipe on Day 5.

"The journey has been absolutely incredible.

"This was a challenge that I gave myself and I did it and everybody laughed at me and I just said 'it's just snowboarding'.

"I was prepared to not medal in anything because that’s the reality. I mean the reality is Icould have put down the run I did in the pipe the other night and not have got on the podium.

"I’ll be going out dancing tonight I have to celebrate my medal."

Brockhoff was in great form all day until her Games took an unlucky tumble. The Victorian was sixth fastest in qualifying and after progressing past the quarter-finals she had a fall in her semi-final when caught between Dominique Maltais (CAN) and Alexandra Jekova (BUL) on a corner midway through semi-final 2.

“She [Maltais] just took a really tight line and she’s very aggressive on course, so a flick of her board hit my board and I just crashed,"Brockhoff said.

“I couldn’t stop myself from going over the edge. I was a little bit winded but decided to keep pushing down the course. I was just thinking that if maybe if there was a crash I could get through, but that’s just racing. Everyone are such solid riders here."

At the end of the race Maltais apologised for edging out her much younger competitor, who went on to come second in the Small Final.

“I have no regrets. I’m really happy with eighth place at my first Olympics. I’m learning new things every day and today was a great day.”

Earlier casualties included defending Olympic and World Champion Maelle Ricker (CAN) who took a tumble and did not finish her heat. American favourite Lindsey Jacobellis also had a fall while in a qualifying position in the same semi-final as Brockhoff.

Eva Samkova from the Czech Republic was on fire, winning each of her races on the day, going on to win Gold in the Big Final. In a drama-filled race, Maltais and Chloe Trespeuch (FRA) came from the back of the pack to claim Silver and Bronze. Samkova is only 20 and the World Junior Champion has set the benchmark for the other women around the world.

“She’s so aggressive she gets out first and pumps everything perfectly on the course, I’m really happy for her.”

Brockhoff agreed that her style was very similar to Alex Pullin’s who will race tomorrow along with Jarryd Hughes and Cam Bolton.

Emily Groves | sochi2014.olympics.com.au

Bright finish for Australian

13/1/2014

Torah Bright in qualifying © Mario Sobrino

Olympic snowboard halfpipe champion, NSWIS Individual Scholarship athlete Torah Bright, added her best result in World Cup snowboard cross to her impressive resume when she finished in eighth place in Vallnord-Arcalis, Andorra, today.

The 27-year-old was joined by NSWIS athlete Belle Brockhoff, in the list of top 10 placings.

Bright’s quest to become a recognised snowboard cross athlete was escalated early last year and today was clearly her most successful result in that time.

She went into the first of the knock out finals, consisting of 24 women, with the seventh fastest time in qualifying, which was also a personal best.

Bright was second across the line in her quarter final, which enabled her to advance to the semi-finals.

However she was up against a hot field that included Canadian Dominque Maltais and American Lindsey Jacobellis, who went on to take second and third in the final, with Czech Eva Samkova taking out the top placing.

Bright was fourth in the semi, which meant that instead of advancing to the final to fight for a medal, her next race was in the consolation final with Brockhoff and four others.

Bright was second in the race, just ahead of Brockhoff, who finished the day in ninth overall.

Eighteen-year-old NSWIS athlete Jarryd Hughes, who recorded his maiden World Cup victory in Canada just before Christmas, was also impressive by making the consolation final, adding a ninth overall to his successful World Cup season.

The men’s final was won by Italian Omar Visintin, with Spain’s Lucas Eguibar in second and Italian Lucas Matteotti taking the third spot on the podium.

In other results with Australians, Cameron Bolton was 30th after making the finals, and Daniel Morrissy was 55th.

The Andorra event ends the snowboard cross World Cup season, as the Veysonnaz round, originally scheduled for January 18, has been cancelled.

Hughes still number one

12/1/2014

Jarryd Hughes (Yellow Bib) racing at Vallnord Arcalis © Mario Sobrino

NSW Institute of Sport snowboard cross rider Jarryd Hughes has retained his world number one ranking following a hard fought 11th place in the first event of a World Cup double header in Vallnord Arcalis, Andorra, overnight.

After advancing to the 48 men’s knock out finals with the fifth fastest time in the qualification session, the 18-year-old finished second in the first heat, which put him through to the quarter finals.

With each heat’s top three progressing to the next round, Hughes’ third place in the quarter finals rewarded him with a spot in the semi-finals.

However, a fifth place in this round meant that he was not eligible to race in the day’s medal round and instead went through to the support final, which determined seventh to twelfth places.

Hughes’ 11th overall place still earned him 240 World Cup points, enough to create a 134 point gap between himself and Italian Omar Visintin, who was third overall today behind the winning American Trevor Jacob and Stian Sivertzen from Norway in the silver medal position.

Two other Australians, NSWIS rider Cameron Bolton was 18th after finishing fifth in the quarter finals, and NSWIS athlete Daniel Morrissy was 40th from a fifth in the first knock out final.

Snowboard halfpipe gold medallist Torah Bright continued her quest to compete in three events at next month’s Sochi Olympic Winter Games in Russia with a 13th place today.

Bright went in to the first knock out race, a quarter final, as the ninth fastest in qualifying but her fourth place prevented her from advancing to the semis.

The final was won by Canadian Dominique Maltais, with Bulgarian Alexandra Jekova in second and American Lindsey Jacobellis third.

Australia’s Belle Brockhoff, another NSWIS athlete, placed 24th and did not start the finals despite qualifying.

The second stage of the double header will be contested tonight, Australian time.

Hughes wins World Cup event

22/12/2013

NSWIS Snowboard Cross athlete - Jarryd Hughes first World Cup win and current World Cup leader! © Arden Shibley / @SnarePhoto

Eighteen-year-old NSWIS Australian snowboard cross rider Jarryd Hughes has captured his maiden World Cup victory and the world number one ranking in Lake Louise, Canada.

In a brilliant performance the Aussie teenager ran away from Germany’s Konstantin Schad in second place while American Alex Deibold was third.

The final saw Hughes leave the start gate in third but his ability to produce speed on the technical course soon saw him grab second spot, immediately putting pressure on the German.

At about the half way mark, Hughes found an extra gear and launched an attack on Schad, which rocketed him into the lead.

With about 200 metres left in the final, Hughes piled on the speed, giving himself an unassailable lead, running out a clear winner by about three metres.

Crossing the line, Hughes’ race focus erupted into rapture. After the race he was understandably ecstatic and was met with congratulatory embraces from coaches and fellow athletes.

Dual World Champion and AIS/NSWIS athlete Alex “Chumpy” Pullin did not fare as well . After qualifying with the 10th fastest time, Pullin crashed in the first final after coming together with Pierre Vaultier’s, (France) in a racing incident and finished the day in 18th place overall.

In the women’s event, NSWIS rider Belle Brockhoff finished overall in 12th place overall, unable to progress past the quarter finals. Torah Bright was 23rd and missed the cut for the finals.

The women’s event was won by American Lindsey Jacobellis, second place went to Canadian Dominique Maltais and third was taken out by Norwegian Helene Olafsen.

Hughes' strong start to season

8/12/2013

IMAGE: Quarter final #2 men at SBX World Cup Montafon: Lluis Marin Tarroch (AND) in blue, Michele Godino (ITA) in white, Jarryd Hughes (AUS) in green, Mick DIerdorff (USA) in red, Xevier de le Rue (FRA) in yellow © FIS

Australian teenager Jarryd Hughes achieved a World Cup career best result with an eighth place in the season’s opening snowboard cross event in Montafon, Austria, today.

The 18-year-old NSW Institute of Sport rider kick-started his season in fine style with a strong display in qualifying, recording a 12th fastest time and earning a place in the 48-man finals draw.

Hughes crossed the line in the first final in second place and then backed up with a third place in the quarters to move to the semis where the young Australian finished fifth, short of the top three places needed to qualify for the final, which was won by Austrian Markus Schairer, ahead of Italian Omar Visitin and the third placed Canadian Kevin Hill.

Hughes finished the day in second place in the support final, providing a confidence boost in his first event since returning to competition from a knee injury sustained in February.

Hughes’ achievements today impressed Australian Institute of Sport snowboard program head coach Ben Wordsworth who praised the teenager for his off season preparation.

“He is obviously stronger and a lot fitter this season which has given him a really good opening World Cup,” Wordsworth said.

“He is definitely coming along as an up-and-coming boarder cross racer. It was a very good result for him.

“The other guys in the semi were perhaps a little cleaner in the banking and in lines which gave the others a little more speed.”

Fellow NSWIS athlete Cameron Bolton finished overall in 19th after a solid race in the first final.

Bolton led his quarter final after the first bank and according to Wordsworth “he took his foot off the gas a little in the middle of the course” and could not regain his early speed.

Dual World Champion Alex “Chumpy” Pullin elected not to compete in Montafon because of back stiffness, however, Wordsworth predicted that Pullin will compete in the next World Cup in Lake Louise, Canada, on December 21.

Olympic halfpipe champion Torah Bright, who is attempting to qualify for snowboard cross in Sochi, finished in 20th place while NSWIS athlete Belle Brockhoff placed 13th after qualifying eighth in the first round and progressing straight through to final racing.

The women’s event was won by Czech Eva Samkova, while Canada’s Dominique Maltais was second and Norway’s Helene Olafsen was third.

Snowboard Cross international season preparation update

8/10/2013

Alex "Chumpy" Pullin (Red pants) out in front in Valmalenco (Image: FIS/Oliver Kraus)

The Snowboard Cross Program conducted an on snow training camp in Cardrona, New Zealand, which was a huge success.

Both AIS and NSWIS athletes benefited from training on a world class course / facility throughout the domestic season. The camp was identified to replicate World Cup speeds and features, so athletes could refine their skills and technique in preparation for World Cup and Olympic competition.

Teams from the USA, Switzerland, Germany, France and Norway were all in attendance.

Dual World Champion and AIS athlete Alex Pullin, togther with NSWIS athletes Belle Brockhoff, Cam Bolton, Daniel Morrissy and Jarryd Hughes also took full advantage of the great training facilities in New Zealand. NSWIS coach Lu Prem said "the athletes made a huge progression over the two week camp, and are in pretty good shape to start the World Cup season."

After a successful domestic season on snow, AIS & NSWIS athletes are now back in the Gym with OWIA Strength and Conditioning coaches John Marsden and Mike Talic, focusing on a six week block of training in Narrabeen, NSW, before the international season starts.

The next on snow camp will be in Austria before the opening World Cup in Montafon, also in Austria.

Win puts Pullin on top of the world

17/3/2013

Alex "Chumpy" Pullin on top of the podium in Veysonnaz
IMAGE © FIS – Oliver Kraus

Dual snowboard cross World Champion Alex “Chumpy” Pullin turned silver into gold with a dramatic lunge on the finish line in Veysonnaz, Switzerland, today, to force the first dead-heat victory in World Cup history, providing the crowning accolade to Australia’s highest World Cup and World Championships medal tally in one season in more than 43 years of participation.

Pullin looked destined for second place with just metres to go in the final but the Australian Institute of Sport athlete was able to manufacture a perfectly timed manoeuvre on the finish line that made it impossible for the judges to separate the first two riders in a photo finish.

After a lengthy deliberation, Pullin and Poland’s Mateusz Ligocki were declared joint winners, ahead of the third placed Austrian Alessandro Haemmerle.

The win is the 24th medal won by an Australian athlete in elite wintersport competition this season and combining Winter Olympic Games, World Championships and World Cup medals, Pullin’s gold is Australia’s 300th medal.

Pullin’s victory, his third this season, clinched the World Cup Crystal Globe trophy, the highest honour in World Cup competition, which is awarded to the athlete who finishes the season on top of the series points table.

It is the second time Pullin has won the Crystal Globe trophy and, like his first time in 2011, he has achieved this exceptional feat in the same year as winning the World Championships title, offering irrefutable proof that the Australian, with seven finals appearances in seven races, is clearly the season’s best rider.

With one World Cup round still to be contested, the world number one has increased the margin over his closest rival, Austria’s Markus Schairer, to 1750 points.

With a maximum of 1000 points up for grabs in the season ending finals in Sierra Nevada, Spain, next weekend, the Australian holds an unassailable lead.

After posting the second fastest time in the qualification session, the day went to plan with the AIS rider notching wins in the round of 32 and his quarter final, before qualifying for the medal round with a second place in a semi-final.

Pullin said the last turn in the final was pivotal to today’s result.

“As we came into the bottom section in the last turn, that was a make or break situation,” he said.

“It was tricky for me because of the slipstream with all riders bunched up again. The decision I had to make was to take a very high line and carry speed across the long flat to the finish or take the low line and block my line but perhaps risk being passed.

“I went for the high line and it paid off.”

In contrast, Ligocki took the low line, which did not generate the same amount of speed out of the turn and although the manoeuvre put the Pole into the lead, Pullin had the velocity approaching the line.

Pullin was able to close a two length deficit, only to brush shoulders with Ligocki about 20 metres from the line, which again cost the Australian valuable speed.

As the two contenders approached the finish, Pullin thrust his board forward just as they crossed the line to bring about the unprecedented dead-heat.

A delighted Pullin said that this season has been “my perfect season.”

“Seven races, seven finals, World Championships victory, Globe locked away, it can’t be better,” he said.

“There’s been a certain amount of intensity, what I call Ninja mode, being able to stay in focus all season.

“I’ve been that way for the last 12 months. Every training run, every weight I lift really counts to me. At the start of the season it is hard to see the big picture but looking back, that’s what I stuck to and that’s what’s worked.

“Winning the overall title was playing on my mind today and I knew I had to go for the win.

“My key today was being really smooth, really fluent and to carry momentum.”

Pullin praised his coach AIS Head Coach Ben Wordsworth for his role, along with his parents who have supported his dreams since he skied for the first time at the age of three and the AIS / Olympic Winter Institute of Australia scholarship program, which has set up the outstanding results enjoyed across a number of wintersport disciplines this season.

NSW Institute of Sport athletes Cam Bolton and 17-year-old Jarryd Hughes both made the finals but were eliminated in the round of 32.

In the women’s event, Australia’s world number eight, NSWIS rider Belle Brockhoff finished the day in ninth place behind winning French rider Nelly Moenne Loccoz, Canada’s Dominique Maltais in second and Czech Eva Samkova in third. Australia’s Torah Bright was 22nd.

Chumpy goes from strength to strength with another win

10/3/2013

world cup leaders after arosa, dominique maltais (can) and alex pullin (aus)

Australia’s dual World Champion Alex “Chumpy” Pullin underlined his high achievements so far this season when he won the World Cup snowboard cross event in Arosa, Switzerland.

Although the Australian Institute of Sport rider went into the event already as the world number one, he leaves Arosa with a vise-grip on finishing the season as the top ranked athlete, which would see Pullin awarded the coveted Crystal Globe trophy for the second time in his outstanding career.

With appearances in all five World Cup finals contested this season, plus a World Championships title, and just two rounds remaining before the close of the northern hemisphere year, Pullin has extended his lead over nearest rival, Austrian Markus Schairer, to 1150 points.

The win, which heightens the gloss to a bright season for a number of other Australian wintersport athletes, is the third in Pullin’s World Cup career and is added to his defense of his World Championship title in January.

But it did not come without a battle with American Nate Holland, who finished in second place and young Spaniard Lucas Eguibar in third.

Holland, a veteran of five World Cup wins, two World Championship podiums and a list of X Games successes, seemed to find another gear as he flew past Pullin between turns three and four in the final.

Then the brilliance of the Australian kicked in and he was able to transform the situation into a win, with the two combatants crossing the line in a nail-biting photo finish.

Pullin said that his fighting spirit, which he has displayed all season, is one of the features that he is most proud of this year.

“It is really tough to get through to the final that decides the podium,” Pullin said.

“That’s something I’m really proud of this season. It’s easy to feel tired, mentally, but I keep pushing myself to the limit where everything is on the line.

“I got away with my best start today and that allowed me to get out and get clean and race down to turn three when Nick Holland made a really good pass with extra speed into turn four but having seen that happen before and executed that pass myself earlier, I knew where he was going to end up.

“I stuck right on his tail and in the final two jumps I put the hammer down and attacked hard. It paid off.

"As we crossed the line, I threw my board out in front and had the win.

“It was racing at its best and it was really cool to finish the day like that with everything coming down to the line. It feels like such a good victory. It was challenging and enjoyable.

“The photo finish shows that the sport is increasingly challenging to win, even heats right through to the final. They’re all really tight to win.”

Statistically, Pullin needs to finish the year with the number one ranking to equal his all-conquering 2010/2011 season, when he won the first of his two World Championships and the Crystal Globe, but irrespective of whether that occurs, he is adamant that this season has been the best of his glittering career.

“I would say that this season is my best. Whether I get the Crystal Globe or not, this has been my best as far as racing, the best with performances in heats, because the sport is getting more challenging to win.

“In this time and being an Olympic year this has been the best season I could have wished for. Making finals all the way through, normally you would not see that, even with World Cup leaders.

“This has been one of those seasons where you have had to put down those performances. I have been the only one to do that so far. I have been in finals at every event and I feel proud and strong with that. So far I couldn’t ask for more.

“We have rivalries like the Vettels and the Jenson Buttons in Formula One and the Rossis and the Casey Stoners. We’ve got that going on this tour. It’s really fun. It pushes me and my riding at every competition.

“You need to go out and put down your best performance at every single event.”

In other results with Australians, NSW Institute of Sport rider Cam Bolton qualified for the finals also, finishing in 35th place while in the women’s draw, world number eight and NSWIS athlete Belle Brockhoff was 11th, making it through to the consolation final.

Olympic halfpipe Champion Torah Bright finished in 20th place, after making her first career appearance in snowboard cross head to head finals racing at the World Cup level.

Chumpy’s sour luck

17/2/2013

Dual World Champion Alex “Chumpy” Pullin was dealt a tough reminder of the misfortune that can sometimes accompany snowboard cross racing when he was taken down, while headed for a certain podium position, in the closing stages of today’s World Cup final and the test event for next year’s Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.

Competing in his fifth final in as many events this season and the first since winning the World Championship, the Australian Institute of Sport rider crashed while in third place, and challenging for second, as the six finalists raced towards the finish line.

Pullin’s fall, brought about by Frenchman Pierre Vaultier crashing in front of him, pushed the Australian down to fifth place.

Austrian Alessandro Haemmerle recorded his debut World Cup victory, American Alex Diebold was second and Austrian Markus Schairer, was third.

Until the incident that knocked Pullin out of contention, he and Vaultier were vying for the lead through most of their final run down the mountain.

“I got out and Pierre took the lead. I thought this was perfect,” Pullin said.

‘He’s a rider I can trust. I chased him down, riding really clean, holding good distance from the others, which was where I wanted to be.

“Came into the straight where I had excellent speed all day, opened it up, went to make a move down the inside on the straight, he cut across and we had a bit of a connection.

“That was a bummer because that shut down a move I was looking forward to take into the lead.

“Lost a lot of speed there, sort of dropped back into third, picked up speed again in the next two banks and was really drafting heavily and was looking to go for second over the last jump and just as we took off, I was coming in with greater speed, I saw Pierre hook his edge on the take-off.

“I can’t blame him for it because he is an absolutely fantastic rider and I’d never expect that to happen following a guy like him.

“He went down. I could see it was going to happen. I was sort of to his right and when he landed his board flicked off and on landing I ran straight into his board at about 70 kilometres an hour.”

Despite his unavoidable poor luck, the Australian was philosophical about the result, perhaps partly due to the fact that he leaves Sochi retaining the world number one ranking and with a bank of other positives.

Pullin, nursing a bruised shin which is not expected to cause further problems, said that his aim of starting the planning process for next year’s Winter Olympic Games had been achieved.

“There is a lot for me to take away from this event,” Pullin said.

“Plenty to analyse and develop a strategy for when we come back next time. The main thing is that I’m really fast. It’s always good to have the speed. I feel really calm when I’m racing and being able to make really good decisions.

‘It’s an extremely tricky course to race.”

Being second fastest in yesterday qualifying session and racing so convincingly in the rounds leading up to the final has given Pullin a lot of confidence looking towards returning to Sochi in February next year to chase his Olympic dream.

In other results with Australian athletes, Belle Brockhoff also won through to the final, her second in World Cup competition this season, finishing sixth.

“I had a lot of luck on my side coming into the final,” Brockhoff said. “A lot of girls did crash but it was a good day.
In the medal round, Dutchwoman Bell Berghuis crashed in front of Brockhoff, which presented the Australian with a quick decision to make.

“I saw Bell Berghuis crash in front of me and it was a case of either taking her head off or crashing into the gate. I crashed into the gate.

“The Italian girl passed me and won. I came sixth and I’m pretty happy with that.”

Italy’s Michela Moioli took the gold medal, with Frenchwoman Nelly Moenne Loccoz second and Norwegian Helene Olafsen third.

Australia’s Cam Bolton qualified to the knock out rounds but finished 4th in his heat, which meant that he did not go further in the competition. Bolton finished 32nd overall.

Chumpy is world number one

3/2/2013

Australia’s Alex “Chumpy” Pullin’s brilliant season gathered even more momentum when he grabbed the world’s number one ranking following a hard fought second place in the snowboard cross World Cup final in Blue Mountain, Canada, today.

While the Australian Institute of Sport snowboarder had his eyes on another victory, he clearly underlined that he is the benchmark athlete in this year’s series, being the only SBX rider to win through to every World Cup final contested so far this season.

He said he was pleased to back up his history making second world crown a week ago with today’s gripping battle, which almost resulted in another win.

However, Canadian Christopher Robanske finished narrowly in front of the Australian, while former World Championship medallist, American Nick Baumgartner, was third.

Pullin delivered a strong follow up to his World Championship defence in Stoneham, Canada, on January 26 when he was third fastest in yesterday’s qualifying session, a winner in the first knock out final and a quarter final, second in the semi-final, before being edged off the top podium step by the Canadian in the last race of the day.

Pullin said he was determined to keep the pressure on his opponents after the World Championship win.

“I knew going into this event that there was expectation on me to again do well and the last thing I wanted was not to put in a good performance today,” Pullin said.

“But I knew that if I kept the positive mental state that I have maintained all season, make sure I continue to enjoy racing and have fun, that everything will come together.

“This is what I’ll be doing for the rest of the season, making sure I continue enjoying the racing.”

Pullin’s podium finish, the eighth of his World Cup career, pushes him 320 points clear of the second ranked Robanske in the chase for the coveted Crystal Globe, which is awarded to the athlete who finishes the season with the most points.

Pullin won the Crystal Globe in the same year he collected his first World Championship title in 2011.

AIS snowboard program head coach Ben Wordsworth said that he and Pullin had two goals at the start of the season – to successfully defend the World Championship and to record another World Cup series win.

With one of those goals in the bag, they are approaching the remaining nine rounds, including one in Sochi, Russia, the venue for next year’s Winter Olympic Games, with a great deal of determination.

“There were a lot of passes in the final with Chumpy going from second to fourth and back to second,” Wordsworth said.

“It’s always difficult to come off a big win like the World Championships and get back up and motivated to do well again the following week but he rode really well today.

“He learned a lot last year and now he is racing well, riding well and with all the hard work he put in over the break, it is a credit to him. He deserves everything.

“He is now looking forward to Sochi to make sure he is fast on that course.”

It was also a positive weekend for other Australian snowboard cross riders with NSWIS athlete Cam Bolton finishing in 17th, after posting the fifth fastest qualifying time while talented teenager Jarryd Hughes was 24th in qualifying and 32nd overall.

In the women’s draw, NSWIS scholarship holder Belle Brockhoff was 16th

Chumpy wins World Championships - again

27/1/2013

Alex ‘Chumpy Pullin became the first Australian wintersport athlete to win consecutive World Championships when he secured a second snowboard cross title in Stoneham, Canada, today.

In winning back-to-back World Championships, the 25-year-old Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holder outclassed the world’s best, which included a dual Olympic gold medallist and a former two-time World Champion, with a flawless performance.

Not only has Pullin rewritten the record books, he did it so emphatically.

Pullin’s triumphant path to becoming a dual World Champion hit top gear two days ago when he set the fastest time during the qualification session.

He then stamped his supremacy on the World Championships by winning each of his four races on his way to standing on the top step of the podium, a feat he first did two years in La Molina, Spain.

The Australian finished ahead of Austrian and former dual World Champion Markus Schairer, with Norwegian Stian Sivertzen in the bronze medal position.

Pullin said that this win has exceeded the euphoria he felt after winning his first World title, describing the victory as a “text book” result.

“The first World Championship was obviously the best day of my life, to put a title beside my name, but the sport has developed a lot.

“There has been a huge amount of work that I have put into this. The level that the sport has grown means that it is extremely hard to win these sorts of events.

“I rode this event exactly the way I dreamed. Coming out and qualifying first, winning all my heats through to the final and winning the final from the hole shot to take the World Championship could not have been better. It was a text book win for me.

“Going into this event I had a couple of good results, a lot of good training, the body was feeling great, the equipment was great, all the support from my coach, everything has been perfectly executed.

“As the defending champion there were expectations but all I wanted to do was ride my best.

“I feel like I have achieved my best riding at the top level on the day.

“Given that I was the defending champion, this one feels better and this is now the best day of my life.”

Pullin attributes much of the win to the huge amount of physical strength work since the last northern hemisphere winter, which has consisted of weight training and intensive endurance conditioning with the AIS in Sydney.

His other area of focus has been further developing his mental toughness to a level that matches his newly-found physical strength.

“Taking something away from every event throughout my career paid off today.

“The mental side is something which is so key in our sport. There are split second decisions, nothing is routine. Things change.

“My racing mentality is in the best place it has ever been.”

Pullin has achieved the mental toughness from one simple thing.

“It’s come about from having fun with it. I’m really enjoying the racing. Although as basic as that may sound, it’s really quite hard to achieve.

“The nerves and stress with racing with five other guys is tough but I’m enjoying it.

“It’s that Aussie attitude that I like to keep hold of, although I’m far away from home, I’m just enjoying myself.

“I knew I was strong, I knew I had put in a lot of training, I knew I had done a lot of work with my equipment, but knowing all that, there was 0.01 of a second difference in qualifying and there are a lot of really good riders on this tour who I have a lot of respect for.

While Pullin has been focused on these Championships, clearly he is also planning for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games and he realises that he cannot afford to rest if his ultimate goal of an Olympic medal is to be achieved.

“I always see room for improvement,” he believes. “One of the biggest things for an athlete is the need to adapt. Today I obviously came away with a win but in a few months’ time there may be better times. The sport is moving forward and so too are the athletes.

“It’s a matter of continuing to push, continuing the search. I remain to be pretty critical of myself. Even though we’re a man-on-man discipline, I need to make sure I am in the best mental and physical condition with the best equipment.

“Every event counts. Even a bad result, I can take away something that might lead to a victory like today.”

AIS snowboard program head coach Ben Wordsworth said that he has never seen Pullin race any better than today.

“It was a great day for us and he is a true champion,” Wordsworth said.

“He was flawless today by winning everything.

“It was probably the best racing I’ve seen him do. He was really calm today. He was focused and he knew what he had to do. It came together and from the very start of racing to the end, he dominated. He deserved it.

“Apart from the Olympics, this is the biggest event in this sport. If you are the World Champion, you are the best in the sport and it carries for two years, which is phenomenal. “

Australia Day in Canada also saw 17-year-old NSWIS rider Jarryd Hughes finish in 11th in his first World Championships, showing a glimpse of what is expected of him in the future, while fellow NSWIS athletes Cam Bolton and Andy Fischer placed 41st and 49th.

In the women’s draw AIS athlete Belle Brockhoff finished 13th on her first World Championships.

Chumpy's season takes shape

15/12/2012

Australia’s Alex “Chumpy” Pullin went within centremetres of snatching victory today in a photo finish with American dual Olympic gold medallist Seth Wescott in the snowboard cross World Cup in Telluride, USA.

As the only snowboard cross athlete to make both finals contested this season, the Australian Institute of Sport athlete jumps to number two in the world, just 20 points behind the leader, Italian Omar Visintin.

Given the nightmare lead up to today’s World Cup, Pullin showed enormous maturity and grit to power his way into second place, ahead of Canadian Christopher Robanske in third.

It was not until 3am on race day that his equipment arrived at Telluride, a result of an airline mishap.

Throughout the week Pullin trained on borrowed boots and bindings and had to deal with the mental strain of working out how to cope with the possibility of racing with untried equipment that was not entirely suited to his needs.

But despite the difficult preparation, Pullin’s performance in Telluride was excellent – a fast qualifying and wins in each of his three knock out races leading into the final.

As well as praising Pullin’s photo finish in the final, AIS snowboard head coach Ben Wordsworth was thrilled by the 25-year-old Victorian’s quarter final and semi-final, when he defeated Wescott in both races and also former World Champion Markus Schairer in the semi.

Coming from third place in the semi, Pullin mounted a charge in the closing stages of the race to maneuvre his way to the lead.

“Chumpy really stepped up today and showed real professionalism,” Wordsworth said.

“The mental strain that he faced when the bags went missing for four days was something he dealt with but it was difficult.

“Today was a great result and now we have our eyes firmly on the World Championships. That’s the one we want. ”

Pullin now heads home to Australia for Christmas before going back to Canada to continue his preparation for his World Championship defence, a title he won in 2011, at the Canadian resort of Stoneham from January 17 to 27.

Pullin’s fellow snowboard cross squad members and NSW Institute of Sport scholarship holders, Andy Fischer, Cam Bolton and Jarryd Hughes also impressed during qualifying, posting times in the top 32.

However, each of the three failed to advance past the first knock out final with Hughes in 23rd place, Fischer in 24th and Bolton in 29th.

In the women’s draw Australia’s Belle Brockhoff was unable to continue her medal winning form from a week earlier, missing the quarter final cut to finish 22nd.

Pullin & Brockhoff both make World Cup final, Brockhoff wins first female medal

9/12/2012

Nineteen-year-old NSW Institute of Sport athlete Belle Brockhoff became the first Australian woman to win a snowboard cross World Cup medal when she finished third in Montafon, Austria on Sunday.

Brockhoff finished behind the winning Canadian Dominique Maltais and Italian Raffaella Brutto. The result was a bolt from the blue with just five World Cup starts to her record.

Brockhoff plans to compete in her first full World Cup season over the next few months including the World Championships in Canada during January and the Olympic Test event in Sochi, Russia, during February.

Twenty four hours earlier, AIS rider Alex “Chumpy” Pullin signaled a return to near his best form when he qualified as sixth fastest and reached the snowboard cross final where he finished fourth after dominating his first three head to head races.

It was an encouraging start to the season for the Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holder who demonstrated that he will again be fast during the 2012/13 season, where he hopes to defend the World Championship title he won in 2011.

Competing in difficult conditions with heavy snow falling, Pullin set the sixth fastest time in qualifying. He then he won his opening head-to-head race, then the quarterfinal and semifinal to make it into the final of four.

“It was such a fun first World Cup in Montafon,” Pullin said. “I’m really happy to kick start the season with a final and can't wait for more.”

The event was won by Italy’s Omar Visintin who celebrated his career's first World Cup, edging out local hero, Austrian Markus Schairer, with USA rider Nick Baumgartner third.

NSWIS athlete Cameron Bolton made it through the qualifying as second fastest to the round of 32, but finished third in his heat and placed 19th overall, his best World Cup result to date. Teammates Daniel Morrissy did not get past the qualification round in 61st place while Jarryd Hughes was injured, and did not start.

The AIS & NSWIS Snowboard Cross athletes now travel to North America for a World Cup in Telluride, Colorado next weekend.

Aussie teenager impresses

17/3/2012

Sixteen-year-old Australian Jarryd Hughes was just 0.06 seconds from grabbing the top spot in qualifying at the second World Cup snowboard cross event in Valmalenco.

Competing in only his third World Cup event, the teenager showed just how much potential and ability he has by securing the second fastest qualifying time before making it through to the quarter finals.

Riding with maturity well above his years and international experience, Hughes finished 17th overall, signaling a bright future.

The final race of the season, a double header in the Italian resort, saw Germany’s Konstantin Schad in first place, ahead of Russia’s Andrey Boldykov and Lluis Marin Tarroch from Andorra in third.

Australian Institute of Sport snowboard cross head coach Ben Wordsworth was one of the many who have been watching Hughes progress during the last few weeks.

“He was very good out there, but he was competing with many strong and experienced riders,” Wordsworth said.

“Making it to the quarter finals and doing what he did in qualifying shows that he definitely has potential for the future.

“Being passed by David Speiser in the quarter final was just a lack of experience.”

Another Australian teenager, Belle Brockhoff, has also wound up the season with an encouraging 17th place behind winner Jacqueline Hernandez from the United States, Frenchwoman Nelly Loccoz Moenne and Brittish rider Zoe Gillings.

In other results for Australian athletes, NSW Institute of Sport athlete Cam Bolton finished 40th after qualifying 47th but went out in the first round. Andy Fischer was 50th and Daniel Morrissy finished 55th.

Australia’s reigning world champion Alex “Chumpy” Pullin did not race today due to a fall in qualifying during which he sustained a minor concussion, bringing his frustrating season to an end.

Chumpy fast again

15/3/2012

Alex “Chumpy” Pullin has finished in eighth place on day one at the 2012 snowboard cross World Cup in Valmalenco, Italy.

He captured the fastest time of the event in qualifying, the fourth time this season he has achieved this distinction, and dominated his first knock out final and a quarter final, winning each race by about four metres.

Pullin’s fortunes changed in the semi-final, unfortunately catching a patch of snow softened by the mild conditions, which caused the Australian to fall, putting an end to his hope of making the final.

In the consolation final, Pullin led for almost the entire race but Italian Alberto Schiavon crossed the finish line a few centimetres ahead of the Australian.

The day belonged to Norway’s Stian Sivertzen, who recorded his second World Cup career win, ahead of American Alex Turtle and Frenchman Tony Ramoin, who both made the podium for the first time.

Sixteen-year-old Australian Jarryd Hughes, racing in only his second World Cup event, once again caught the attention of AIS snowboard cross head coach Ben Wordsworth.

Although Hughes’ finish of 21st today was not as strong as 10th place in his World Cup debut in Stoneham, Canada, in February, the young gun showed he has potential by securing the fifth fastest time in qualifying.

“He was incredible. He is really good in time trials. Unfortunately in the second heat he got caught up on one of the jumps and they passed him.

“Given that he is 16 and the level he is riding at, he is doing really well. It’s exciting for the sport to have someone like him come through.”

In other Australian men’s results, Andy Fischer was 52nd, Cam Bolton 57th place and in 60th place was Daniel Morrissy.

In the women’s event, 19-year-old Australian Belle Brockhoff made the semi-finals, finishing in an encouraging ninth place overall.

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