Australia's snowboard cross athletes have taken part in a World Cup doubleheader in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, with a number of strong performances, just missing the podium on three occasions.
 
In the first event, Belle Brockhoff made the big final, finishing fourth, with 2020 Youth Olympic champion Josie Baff finishing in ninth. On the men’s side, Adam Dickson made the small final, finishing seventh, Cam Bolton 13th, Adam Lambert 17th and Jarryd Hughes 36th.
 
Brockhoff again surged to make the big final and came close again in fourth, with Baff in 17th. Adam Lambert made the big final on the men’s side for Australia’s third fourth-place finish of the weekend, with Dickson in sixth, Bolton in ninth and Hughes in 17th.

After five events, Brockhoff is currently ranked third in the world on the women's World Cup standings, with Adam Lambert (10th), Cam Bolton (11th) and Adam Dickson (14th) all ranked in the top-15 in the men's standings.

The snowboard cross athletes will now return to central Europe to train ahead of the final World Cup event before the Olympics in Cortina d'Amprezzo, Italy, on January 29.

Belle Brockhoff has claimed a bronze medal at the snowboard cross World Cup in Cervinia, Italy, making it back-to-back podiums in a strong start to the season. Teammate Cam Bolton also had a season best fourth place performance.
 
In a close race, Brokhoff finished just behind Italian Michela Moioli with Faye Gulini of the USA in second. The podium performance moves Brockhoff into third place on the world rankings.
 
“I was actually not going to race, I had a small injury in the training I bruised the bones in my knee, so I have been riding with a lot of pain today, so I just wanted to take each heat as it came and made sure I made the landings” said the 29-year-old from Melbourne in Victoria.
 
“I am happy I made my way through it and didn’t think too much of it, so definitely happy to be racing.”
 
In an encouraging return to form after missing all of last season, Cam Bolton narrowly missed the podium in the men’s event finishing in fourth place, his first big final performance since the 2019-2020 World Cup season.
 
The snowboard cross athletes will now have a break before their World Cup tour resumes in January in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, on Janaury 7-9.

Bell Brockhoff has continued her strong start to the World Cup snowboard cross season, claiming the silver medal overnight in Montafon, Austria.
 
The podium performance sees the 28-year-old from Melbourne move up to third place on the World Cup standings after two events.
 
Brockhoff reached the big final after taking out victories in the quarter and semi final heats. In a closely contested final with several lead changes, Brockhoff was just edged at the finish line behind Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain, with Chloe Trespeuch of France in third.
 
“It’s really good to be back on the podium”, said a happy Brockhoff after collecting the 13th World Cup medal of her career.
 
“I was a bit rusty at the opening World Cup in China, but it was good to get the cobwebs out and bring in some good momentum into this race.
 
In her second World Cup start, 18-year-old Josie Baff from Jindabyne had an impressive qualifying performance, advancing to finals in second place. Baff finished third in her quarter-final heat to give her a personal best ninth place finish.
 
“Definitely a little bit bittersweet today”, said the 2020 Youth Olympic Games gold medallist.
 
“Really stoked to get my first top ten result, but wished it was under different circumstances where I was happy with my riding and run top to bottom.”
 
“But as always, there are heaps of things to take away and put into action for the World Cup in Cervinia next week.”
 
Also in action for Australia was Jarryd Hughes (22nd), Mia Clift (26th), Cam Bolton (26th), Declan Dent (29th), Adam Dickson (33rd), Kobi Dent (47th) and Adam Lambert (57th).
 
The snowboard cross athletes will be back in action tonight competing in the mixed team event in Montafon. 2021 mixed team World Champion’s Brockhoff and Hughes will team up again for Australia.
 
The mixed team event will debut at the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.

Australia’s snowboard cross athletes have had a successful test run on the Beijing 2022 Olympic course, with Adam Lambert and Belle Brockhoff recording encouraging semi-final performances at the World Cup event in Secret Garden, China.
 
Lambert was particularly impressive and looks well suited to the Secret Garden track, qualifying for finals in seventh place, and rode well to record wins in the round of 32 and 16 to advance through to the semi-final.
 
In the semi-final round, Lambert had some good sections out front and led for parts of the race, but just missed out on advancing to the big-final in third place. Lambert bounced back in the small final, crossing the line for the win to finish the day ranked fifth overall.
 
“Not a bad week, I qualified seventh and finished fifth and I always try to beat my qualifying result so I am happy with that”, said the 24-year-old Olympian from Jindabyne.
 
“This course is really my style, I love gliding and flat basing, and I am short, which helps when there are head winds.
 
“China is definitely a different place, we are used to competing in Europe and North America, but all in all it was run really well.”
 
In the women’s finals, Brockhoff advanced through the quarter-final round in second place, and then had to face off in the semi-finals against Olympic gold medallists Eva Samkova of the Czech Republic and Michaela Moioli of Italy. In a tough race, Brockhoff just missed out on making it though to the big final in third place. In the small-final, Brockhoff finished second, to finish the event in sixth place.
 
“Mixed feelings from today, I came here to win, I know I have the ability and have the drive to, but it just didn’t come together for me at this race” said the 28-year-old Mixed Team World Champion from Melbourne.
 
“I had a heavy hit in training just before heats, but I powered through, so happy I can fight through like that.”
 
“They did a really good job here, they wanted to put on a good event, and they did, the track, accommodation and facilities for teams were well put together. Hopefully they can improve even further on that I am looking forward to the Olympic Games.”
 
The men’s event was won by Austrian Alessandro Haemmerle Eva Samkova taking the win in the women’s event.
 
Also in action for Australia was 2018 Olympic silver medallist Jarryd Hughes in 12th place, Adam Dickson 16th, Cam Bolton 31st, and in her World Cup debut 17-year-old Mia Clift finished 22nd.
 
The snowboard cross athletes will next be in action when the World Cup tour resumes in Montafon, Austria, with the single event on December 10 and mixed-team event on December 11.

Australia’s winter sport community has come together to honour the legend of three-time Winter Olympian Alex “Chumpy” Pullin with the athlete accommodation at the Olympic Training Centre at Mt Buller today named “Chumpy’s Lodge”.

Chumpy’s parents Sally and Chris Pullin together with partner Ellidy Vlug were present at Mt Buller this afternoon for the dedication in honour of the snowboard pioneer, Olympic Team flagbearer and two-time world champion.
Chief Executive Officer of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA) Geoff Lipshut says it’s important that athletes know Chumpy’s story and the contribution he made to snowsport in Australia.

“As we approach the first anniversary of Chumpy’s tragic passing, this is fitting recognition. All athletes now staying at athlete accommodation at Mt Buller will learn of his story via the memorabilia here and preserve his memory through the reference to Chumpy’s Lodge as a part of each training camp.

“Chumpy genuinely believed that anything was possible, which is why he was so important to the athletes of his generation, and through Chumpy’s Lodge, generations to come.”

Chumpy Pullin was born in the Mt Buller area, his parents owned a Ski and Snowboard shop in the sub-alpine town of Mansfield.  Chumpy learnt to snowboard at Mt Buller at eight years of age and went on to be the first Australian winter sports man or woman to win two World Championships in 2011 and 2013 and a triple Olympian 2010. 2014 and 2018 where he placed sixth in the Olympic final.  Chumpy is the most successful skier or snowboarder to grow up in the Mt Buller area.

Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) Vice President and past Chef de Mission of the Winter Team at Vancouver (2010), Sochi (2014) and PyeongChang (2018) Ian Chesterman says Chumpy Pullin’s passion left an indelible mark on winter sport in Australia.

“Chumpy was a natural leader, which is why he carried the flag for Australia at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games in Sochi 2014.

“He was passionate about building winter sport in this country, which is why this OWIA initiative is so important. We were desperately sad to lose him but his legacy will live on. Everyone who passes through the doors of Chumpy’s Lodge will understand that history,” Mr Chesterman concluded.
 
Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin
3 x Olympian – Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014 , PyeongChang 2018
2 x  World Champion (2011, 2013) and 1 bronze (2017), as well as overall World Cup title in both 2011 and 2013
Best result at Olympics – 6th at PyeongChang

NSWIS snowboarder Adam Lambert has finished in fourth place at the final snowboard cross event of the season in Veysonnaz, Switzerland, his best placing of the season.

The world cup final saw the top-32 men and top 16-women in action, with Lambert joined by teammates Adam Dickson as the only two Australian’s competing at the Swiss resort.

Lambert finished in first place in his round of 32 heat, was second in the round of 16, and advanced to the big final after crossing the line in second position in the semi-final.

in the big final medal round, Lambert had a fall after contact with another rider half way down the course ending his race, which left him in fourth place.

“Pretty stocked, but disappointed to have the fall in the final, but it happens, and a top four in my first season back from knee surgery is pretty decent, so I am happy”, said the 23-year-old from Jindabyne.

Lambert finished the season ranked in 15th place, with Dickson in 25th on the standings after finishing 17th in Veysonnaz, his third top-20 of the season.

2021 World Championship team gold medallists Belle Brockhoff and Jarryd Hughes did not compete in the final, with Brockhoff suffering a season ending injury in early March in Bakuriani, Georgia, and Hughes was not eligible after only competing in the one World Cup event this season.

The snowboard cross team have now completed their international season and will return to Australia in the next few weeks.
 
IMAGE: Adam Lambert (right) in action at the World Cup final in Switzerland © FIS Snowboard/GEPA

The Australian Snowboard Cross team have competed in a double World Cup event in Bakuriani, Georgia, with some promising performances at the penultimate event of the season.

On day one, Youth Olympic Games Gold Medallist Josie Baff made her World Cup debut and was the highest place Australian finisher in 15th position. Baff’s NSWIS teammates Adam Dickson made it through to the quarter-final round finishing in 16th place, with Adam Lambert in 25th.

On day two, Dickson was in great form winning his heat in the round of 32 and 16 to make it through to the semi-final stage for the first time this season.

In the semi-final, Dickson was in third position half way down the course, but mistimed a feature which took him out of the heat.

Dickson then competed in the consolation small final, where he placed fourth to give him a final ranking of eighth place, his best result of the season.

Adam Lambert finished third in his round of 32 heat to finish in 17th place. Baff did not start on day two.

Unfortunately, Belle Brockhoff sustained an injury during official training and had to withdraw from both days of competition and will conclude her season.

The final World Cup of the season will take place in Veysonnaz, Switzerland, on March 20. The event will be a reduced field with just the top 16 women and top 32 men in action.

Adam Lambert and Adam Dickson have both qualified to compete in the World Cup final, sitting in 21st and 25th place respective on the standings.

2018 Olympic silver medallist Jarryd Hughes is currently the third reserve in 35th place, after only racing in one World Cup event this season.

IMAGE: Adam Dickson (green bib) dropping from the start gate in Bakurian © FIS

NSWIS snowboarder Jarryd Hughes has continued his strong recent form with a tenth place finish in the snowboard cross World Cup event in Reiteralm, Austria.

The 2018 Olympic silver medalist qualified for finals in 11th place, and made a great start to heat racing winning in the round of 32.

In the quarter final round, Hughes just missed out on advancing to the next stage finishing third in his heat, giving him a final placing of tenth.

Also in action were NSWIS teammates Adam Dickson in 31st and Adam Lambert in 36th.

Unfortunately World Championship mixed team gold medalist Belle Brockhoff was unable to compete due to knee soreness, but is expected to return to training in the next weeks.

2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games Champion Josie Baff has recently joined the Snowboard Cross team in Europe for the remainder of the season with an aim to begin the qualification process towards Beijing 2022 Olympic Games.

The snowboard cross team will next head to Bakuriani, Georgia, for a double World Cup event on March 4 and 5.

IMAGE: Jarryd Hughes taking in the sun at Reiteralm © Jarryd Hughes Instagram

Australian has won a historic World Championship gold medal in the snowboard cross mixed teams event in Idre Fjäll, Sweden.
 
The Australian team featured NSWIS riders, 2018 Olympic silver medallist Jarryd Hughes and multiple World Cup winner Belle Brockhoff, who delivered Australia’s first ever mixed teams medal in the new Olympic event which will debut in Beijing 2022.
 
The mixed teams event is a two-competitor-per-team relay with one male and female athlete. The male athletes race first, with the women leaving the start gate with the respective time margin that the men crossed the finish line.
 
In the medal round, Hughes got Australia off to a great start in the final with impressive riding to cross the line in first place, 0.77 seconds ahead of the Italian team.
 
Brockhoff then raced exceptionally well to take the victory finishing 0.64 seconds ahead of the Italian team with France crossing the line in third place.
 
“Well, this is as good as it gets! We haven’t raced in a team event before ever. We knew we could do it and we were really confident in our abilities, then we just set out a really good game plan among the two of us and maximized our strengths and I am just lucky to have had such a strong rider like Belle to be riding with,” said Hughes after stepping off the podium.
 
“I am really stoked to be here, especially after yesterday’s fall, it’s a bit of a redemption, so I am very happy and very excited,” teammate Brockhoff said.
 
The mixed teams gold is the first Australian snowboard cross World Championship gold medal since the late Alex “Chumpy” Pulllin won his second consecutive World title in 2013.

The NSWIS snowboard cross athletes will now head to the Austrian resort of Reiteralm for a World Cup event on February 18.

Belle Brockhoff came agonisingly close to a podium finish but had to settle for fourth place in the FIS Snowboard Cross World Championships at Idre Fjall (SWE) early on Friday morning (AEDT).

In an exciting race with multiple change of leads, Brockhoff was quick out of the gate, beaten only by defending World Champion Eva Samkova (CZE). Brockhoff battled for second position with Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain for large portions of the run, with the two eventually overtaking Samkova after one of the jumps.

Unfortunately Brockhoff slipped out of the course at the bottom roller section while in second place, a mistake that relegated her out of medal contention and allowed Bankes to sail towards gold, with Moioli (ITA) in second place and Samkova in third.

In the Men’s event, 2018 Olympic silver medallist Jarryd Hughes was the best placed of the Australian athletes, making his way through to the quarter finals to close in 11th place. After qualifying brilliantly for the finals, neither Adam Dickson nor Adam Lambert could advance past the first final round and finished in 24th and 26th place respectively.

Brockhoff and Hughes will be in the start gate again tonight (Friday) for the Mixed Snowboard Cross Team event. The race starts at 10.30pm AEDT and Snow Australia is once again able to provide exclusive live access to the event broadcast for the Australian audience. To watch the race head over to https://www.snow.org.au/live/

The 2021 FIS Ski & Snowboard Cross World Championships will take place this week in the Swedish resort of Idre Fjäll. 

The World Championships will open up first with the Snowboard Cross on February 11 with the Snowboard Cross team event on February 12.  The Ski Cross athletes will close out the World Championships on February 13.

In action for Australia will be World Cup medalists Belle Brockhoff, Adam Lambert and Adam Dickson, with  2018 Olympic silver medalist Jarryd Hughes competing in his first event of the season.

Doug Crawford and Robbie Morrison will be making their World Championship debut in the Ski Cross competition.

Full Schedule
Tuesday February 9 - Snowboard Cross Qualifying
Wednesday February 10 - Ski Cross Qualifying
Thursday February 11 - Snowboard Cross Final
Friday February 12 - Snowboard Cross Team Event
Saturday February 13 - Ski Cross Final
 
IMAGE: Belle Brockhoff and Adam Dickson celebrate podium performances at the World Cup finals in Veysonnaz, Switzerland, in March 2020 © Chris Hocking

The World Cup Snowboard Cross tour has commenced for 2021, with a double event taking place in Valmalenco, Italy.

NSWIS rider Belle Brockhoff was the fastest qualifier out of the Australian athletes in action, advancing through to finals in third place.

Brockhoff then recorded two top-10 performances, unable to advance past the quarter final stage finishing in ninth place on both days of competition.

In the men's event, Adam Lambert also made it through to the quarter final round on both days, finishing in 12th place on day one and 13th on day two.

Lambert's NSWIS teammate Adam Dickson was also in action, finishing in 33rd on day one and 25th on day two.
 
The next event on the schedule for the snowboard cross athletes will be the World Championships in Idre Fjäll, Sweden, on February 11.
 
IMAGE: Adam Lambert taking on qualifying in Valmalenco © FIS

During the Australian winter season Adam Dickson trained on snow at Perisher with NSWIS Head Coach Jason Clauscen. Teammate Adam Lambert also made his return to snow from injury sustained in December 2019. Cam Bolton, Belle Brockhoff and Jarryd Hughes focused mostly on their strength and conditioning at home during this time.
 
In early October, Brockhoff, Dickson and Lambert all headed over to Europe to train on snow with OWIA Coaches Harald Benselin and Jan Klesma in Switzerland and Austria.
 
World Cup events scheduled to take place in December have been cancelled due to the COVID situation in each country. The first World Cup event of the season is now scheduled for mid January.

The Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA) and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) is mourning the tragic loss of Winter Olympian Alex “Chumpy” Pullin.

The three-time Winter Olympian and two-times world champion snowboard cross athlete carried the flag for the Australian Team at the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympic Games in 2014.

The Australian Olympic Team’s Chef de Mission at Vancouver (2010), Sochi (2014) and PyeongChang (2018) Ian Chesterman described Alex Pullin as a natural leader.

“This is an incredibly sad day for us all. Chumpy was a champion bloke as well as being a champion athlete. He had great charisma that allowed him to be a natural leader.
 
“He was always prepared to give his time to build winter sport in this country because he was so passionate about what he did. His enthusiasm was infectious and his impact on Olympic sport can’t be overstated.
 
“Chumpy will be greatly missed, not just within our winter sports family but by the so many people he impacted on both here and overseas.
 
“This is a desperately sad time for his family, his friends, teammates and all in winter sports. We are all devastated and our heartfelt sympathies go to his loved ones,” Mr Chesterman said.
 
Chief Executive Officer of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA) Geoff Lipshut also paid tribute to Alex Pullin’s contribution to elite snow sport in Australia.

“Chumpy was Australia’s great snowboard male pioneer. As a junior, he won a medal at the World Junior Championships, before going on to two World Championships, two World Cup Championships and three Olympics Games.

“From day one of his 12 years as an Olympic Winter Institute of Australia athlete, Chumpy attacked each day, competition and training session with his trademark intensity, purpose, energy and enthusiasm.

“Chumpy was a leader, a great champion and will be missed by all of the winter sports community both in Australia and around the World. It is very sad,” Mr Lipshut concluded. 

The Australian Olympic Committee passes on its condolences to Alex’s family, his many friends, teammates and colleagues.
 
Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin

• 3 x Olympian – Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014 , PyeongChang 2018
• 2 x  World Champion (2011, 2013) and 1 bronze (2017), as well as overall World Cup title in both 2011 and 2013
• Best result at Olympics – 6th at PyeongChang

The ‘Athletes for Lifeline’ campaign is an initiative run by the AIS Lifeline Community Custodians in an effort to connect virtually to the community to raise funds and awareness for Lifeline Australia. 
 
Representing winter sports is two time Snowboard Cross Olympian, and current world number two Belle Brockhoff.
 
The athletes are putting together a ‘virtual check-in’, where each week/fortnight a Lifeline Community Custodian will host a check-in centred around a different topic. There will be 2 formats.

• Instagram live: A live stream video from the athletes personal Instagram account. This will be conducted with the primary aim of connecting with the virtual community and rising awareness for the Lifeline phone line 13 11 14. 
• Zoom meeting: the other option is aimed to encourage donations. Lifeline and the athletes will advertise the upcoming zoom meeting, and when people make a donation to the ‘Athletes for Lifeline’ donation page, they will receive an emailed receipt with the zoom meeting details. A zoom meeting will then be held in a similar manner to the Instagram live. 

These videos will be saved after the live event,  and made available for a donation to Lifeline. 
 
These virtual check-in are a natural, organic way for the custodians to connect with their virtual audience and fulfil the custodian role of reducing mental health stigma in the community. The concept was created due to the Covid-19 pandemic as there has been a 30% increase in Lifeline calls. Understanding that the community in lockdown are reporting higher rates of loneliness, the custodians are offering a way to help support. These 45min-one hour check-in’s will cover a range of topics for maximum engagement including cooking classes, to learning AFL skills with AFLW players. Each episode will be hosted by a custodian and may include a special guest. The custodian will either share a skill with the virtual community or learn one from the guest. 
 
The first episode (June 4th) will feature Belle and Lego Masters (Season one) contestants Kaitlyn Lee and Miller Keys. Kaitlyn and Miller will share their Lego skills with Belle as they record over Instagram live. This format will allow the audience to engage with them in a Q&A style, while they promote the Lifeline Services. 
 
The second episode (June 11th), will feature Monique Murphy learning how to cook a recipe with My Kitchen Rules 2020 Winner, Jake Harrison. 
 
Future episodes include Erik Horrie, Catriona Bisset, Morgan Mitchell; and many more custodians and special guests. 
 
Through Belle and Monique’s work, many expressions of interest from special guests, including AFLW player Darcy Vescio, basketball superstar Liz Cambage; and donations of vouchers from Grill’d Burgers and Dinosaur Bars, have been received. During each episode these vouchers will be promoted and given away to people who donate to the ‘Lifeline for Athletes’ page. These vouchers will help act as an incentive and enable us to promote the brands. Care will be taken to insure no brands class with either Lifeline or AIS sponsors. These guests will aid us in reaching more viewers and more donors. 
 
The simple aim is to use our role and our time to help lifeline. We are conscious to work within the Covid-19 Government guidelines and our approach offers flexibility to do this as restrictions change. 
 
This program aims to capitalise on the excitement and energy of the Lifeline Custodians and use it to help give back to our community and support Lifeline Australia

IMAGE: Athletes who have been selected as Lifeline Community Custodians © Lifeline

Dual Winter Olympian Belle Brockhoff has secured the prestigious Outstanding Achievement award as part of the 2020 Snow Australia Awards for her awe inspiring comeback season.

The 27 year old returned to the World Cup season in 2019-2020 after an ACL injury sidelined her for two years.

Her comeback was remarkable , achieving five podium finishes from six World Cup starts. On top of that she made the final in every World Cup event she contested this season.

Brockhoff finished the season with one gold, one silver and three bronze medals. Her hard work was rewarded when she finished second overall in the World Cup season standings.

The Victorian athlete said that she felt enormous pride to be announced as the Outstanding Achievement award recipient.

“This feels amazing - it’s been a long two years out of the sport,” Brockhoff said.

“To come out of this season as world number two was just unreal and this is great just to top it off.

After achieving her goal of ‘going for gold’ this season, Belle remains ambitious as she looks ahead to what could potentially be her third Winter Olympic Games campaign.

“I’ve never been shy or hidden the fact that my goal is to go for gold, whether it’s Olympics, World Cup or World Championships, that’s what I want to do,” Brockhoff said.

“And I want to do everything that I can - training on snow, off snow, or whatever it may be to get into a position where I can achieve that.”

Snow Australia Chief Executive Officer Michael Kennedy said Belle is a very deserving recipient of the award.
“The Outstanding Achievement Award is presented to someone who has not only achieved outstanding results but has also overcome setbacks or adversity in doing so. In 2020 there was no one more deserving of the award than Belle,” Kennedy said.

“I know how hard she worked not only to return to snow, but return to the form she was in before her injury and I think this season she exceeded even her own expectations.

Courtesy Snow Australia

Snowboard Cross coaches Harald Benselin and Jan Klemsa have today been named as 2020 Snow Australia Coaches of the Year.

The pair were instrumental in Olympian Belle Brockhoff’s return to snow after the 27 year old was sidelined with an ACL injury.  She made a spectacular return during the 2019-2020 world cup season winning three bronze, one silver and one gold World Cup medals.

They also helped Cameron Bolton to multiple World Cup podiums throughout the season and worked with Adam Dickson who achieved his first World Cup podium in the final event of the season.
Benselin admitted it was one of the more satisfying seasons.

“Every time you go to a World Cup and at least one of the team members ends up on the podium is always a good surprise,” Benselin said.

“But it’s also a really good prize for all the hard work that they’ve been doing.”

Benselin said that it’s a great feeling to win alongside Klemsa, someone who he said he is lucky to not only consider a colleague but a friend.

“We understand each other really well, we love the sport, we love snowboarding and we’re both really passionate people,” Benselin said.

“Having Jan beside me is a big help and it’s (our partnership) is probably one of the biggest behind the scenes successes for us.”

Klemsa echoed Benselin’s comments, saying their ability to work together on coaches translates to the performance of their athletes.

“We’ve spent the last 9 months staying together, working together, so much time but I don’t think we’ve had any rough patches,” Klemsa said.

Snow Australia Chief Executive Officer, Michael Kennedy, said “In such a successful year for snow sports it was difficult to single out one coach or coaching team however it was hard to look past Harald and Jan given the spread of results by their athletes and the calculated role they played in facilitating Belle’s incredible comeback from injury.”

Courtesy Snow Australia

After making history at the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games, claiming Australia’s first ever gold medallist, snowboarder Josie Baff has today been named as Snow Australia’s 2020 Junior Athlete of the Year.

The 16-year old claimed gold in a dramatic Big Final, where she finished a narrow 0.05 seconds in front of French snowboarder Margaux Herpin. The win put Josie on the radar as one to watch for future Olympic Games and a star on the rise for Australia.

The Jindabyne local said that her experience at Lausanne 2020 is one she will never forget.

“The whole experience was just so enjoyable and so fun, I’m so glad I got to go with so many of my friends and the people I’d been competing with and against for so many years,” Baff said.

“The race itself was very surreal, I don’t think it’s ever going to properly sink in,” she said.

Josie has been part of the NSWIS and cherishes every opportunity she gets to learn from other Snowboard Cross athletes like Belle Brockhoff.

“I think it really sets the bar of where we can go and what we can achieve,” Baff said.

“Seeing Belle being so successful just gives you another special edge that just gives you that drive.

“It’s so good to have that and I’m so glad that I do. I just hope that one day I can be that person, like Belle, to younger snowboard athletes too,” she said.

Snow Australia Chief Executive Officer Michael Kennedy said it seemed only fitting to kick off the online awards with a celebration of the next generation.

“We have moved the Snow Australia Awards to online for 2020, and what better way to kick off our two week celebration than with Junior Athlete of the Year.

“Josie achieved something outstanding in Lausanne, something that no Australian before her has been able to achieve. She has a bright future ahead of her and I’m excited to see what she does next,” Kennedy said.

Courtesy Snow Australia

Australia’s snowboard cross athletes have scored a double podium at the final event for the FIS World Cup season overnight in Veysonnaz, Switzerland, capping a stellar season for Belle Brockhoff.
 
The event was also the final FIS ski or snowboard competition of the 2019-2020 season, with all other events planned now cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus and the imminent closure of nearly all ski resorts in central Europe.
 
Brockhoff claimed bronze in the women’s event and NSWIS teammate, Adam Dickson, also took the bronze podium in the men’s event, the first World Cup medal of his career.
 
The women’s big final competitors all had impressive credentials featuring PyeongChang gold medalist Michela Moioli (ITA), Sochi Olympic Champion and last year’s Crystal Globe winner Eva Samkova (CZE), Australia’s Belle Brockhoff (AUS) and winner of the previous World Cup in Sierra Nevada Chloe Trespeuch (FRA).
 
Brockhoff led a third of the way in and held the lead for most of the run until Moioli went past on the last banked corner as both the Italian and France’s Trespeuch overtook on the line.
 
The NSWIS rider has had a phenomenal season in her return from missing the previous two years due to injury, advancing through to the big final in every competition.
 
Her bronze in Veysonnaz took her season medal tally to five (one gold, one silver, three bronze) and she finished second overall on the World  Cup standings, her best ever end of season ranking.
 
“I am really happy with my season, I have put in a lot of hard work over the past two years and wanted to make a strong comeback” said Brockhoff.
 
“With the season now finished my focus is to train hard and get really strong, I have got a lot of notes written down that I need to work on physically.”
 
Australia’s Adam Dickson took his first FIS World Cup podium of his career with bronze at the Veysonnaz event.
 
The 24 year old from Jindabyne took third place behind Omar Visintin from Italy (silver) and Alessandro Haemmerle from Austria (gold). Haemmerle claimed the Crystal Globe for the season.
 
“it’s my first top ten performance so to have a podium is unreal” an excited Dickson commented after the race.
 
“it’s a great event here, the speed was up and there was plenty of airtime. My strategy was to keep my speed and holding a high line into the final turn and it worked well for me.”

Also competing in Switzerland was two time Australian Olympian Cameron Bolton,who was extremely unlucky to be unexpectedly and controversially disqualified in the quarter final round, putting him in 26th place.

IMAGE: Adam Dickson and Belle Brockhoff celebrate their bronze medals at the final world cup of the season in Switzerland © OWIA/Chris Hocking

Belle Brockhoff has finished in the bronze medal position, with the 27 year old claiming her fourth podium performance of the season in In Sierra Nevada, Spain.

The NSWIS rider advanced through to the big final, and avoided a fall from Eva Samkova of the Czech Repubic to cross the finish line in third place, extending her streak to three straight podiums
 
Finishing ahead of Brockhoff on the podium was Chloe Trespeuch from France who won the gold medal, with Michela Moioli of Italy in second place.
 
With one event remaining, Brockhoff is currently ranked second on the World Cup standings on 3500 points, with Moioli 900 points ahead in first place with 4400 points.
 
“I am super happy with the result here in Spain” said Brockhoff after landing on the podium.
 
“Last time l was here three years ago I ruptured my ACL for the first time, so this is a big win for me regardless of the medal colour.”
 
“I’ve had my best season ever and I’ve worked so hard for it these last two years. I’m very excited to see what I can do next year and I’m looking forward to more hard work after this season.

2018 Olympic Medallist Jarryd Hughes was the highest placed male athlete in 13th place, with NSWIS teammates Alex Pullin in 21st, Cameron Bolton 25th and Adam Dickson 44th. 
 
The snowboard cross tour now moves to Veysonnaz, Switzerland, for the final event of the season on March 15. 

Belle Brockhoff has capped off an amazing weekend winning gold in the second of back-to-back World Cup snowboard cross races in Big White, Canada.
 
The win makes it two medals in two days for the 27 year old from Melbourne, after finishing second in yesterday's competition.
 
In difficult weather conditions, Brockhoff claimed victory in a nail-biting finish, edging out Olympic champion Michela Moioli of Italy by .08 of a second. Rounding out the podium was American Faye Gulini in third.
 
“It is absolutely unreal! It’s more than just a win for me, I have come back from two ACL blowouts and this is just so huge! I am very happy,” a joyful Brockhoff said.
 
“The work I have put in over the last two years out of the sport has shown. It’s different for me too, my mind is looking at things differently and its super calm.”
 
“I had no nerves today. I was calm and patient.”
 
The podium result is the tenth medal of Brockhoff's World Cup career (4 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze), and her first win since 2017.
 
With only two World Cup events remaining, Brockhoff sits in second place on the World Cup standings on 2900 points, 700 points behind leader Moioli.

Adam Dickson was the highest placed Australian in the men's event in 21st position, with Cam Bolton 25th and Jarryd Hughes in 27th.
 
The next stop of the World Cup tour will be in Sierra Nevada, Spain on March 06-07.

Belle Brockhoff has continued her strong season winning silver at the FIS World Cup event in Big White, Canada, her second medal of the season.
 
Brockhoff, 27, from Melbourne overcame difficult weather conditions and equipment problems to reach her third straight big final this season, and took the silver medal in a photo finish just beating the third place finisher.
 
“I had a lot of equipment malfunction”, a relieved Brockhoff commented after the race.
 
“I had my boots break, parts on all three of my bindings break and my warmup gear broke. Had to duct tape it all up”
 
“I wasn’t feeling confident yesterday and had a bit of bone bruising in my knee. I just made the switch mentally before I went to sleep.”
 
“Six months ago, I didn’t have the confidence to ride in conditions with very poor visibility. “
 
“A lot of that confidence came back yesterday and today, which was more of an achievement than a silver medal for me.”
 
Taking the victory was Italian rider Michela Moioli with her teammate Raffaella Brutto in third.
 
The podium result is the ninth medal of Brockoff's World Cup career (3 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze), and puts her in second place on the World Cup standings after three events this season.
 
In the men's event, 2018 Olympic Silver medalist Jarryd Hughes was the best placed Australian in 11th position, with Cameron Bolton 18th and Adam Dickson 40th.

The FIS World Cup Snowboard Cross season kicked off in Montafon, Austria, with Australian Winter Olympians Cameron Bolton and Belle Brockhoff both winning a place on the podium.

Bolton, 29, from Melbourne, Victoria, won silver in the men’s Snowboard Cross and Brockhoff, 26, from Melbourne, took bronze in the women’s.

Bolton’s silver is his third World Cup medal, and first silver placement. The two time Winter Olympian secured his spot in the final in tough weather conditions with heavy snow and wind to take second at the finish line.

“I’m absolutely wrapped to come away with a second for the first event, I took it one heat at a time” said Bolton of his race strategy. “I’m looking for a podium in every race, I think you have to go into every race looking for that.”

It was a particularly sweet third place for Brockhoff. This season is her first full season back after two separate knee injuries in the past two years. The bronze medal at Montafon on is her eighth World Cup medal (3 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze) and first since 2017.

“I’m so happy, it’s been a long road” said an ecstatic Brockhoff. “I had quite a few plans in place to see what would happen at the start and best options to take. This is a great way to start the 2019/2020 season.”

Alessandro Haemmerle (AUT) took gold and Omar Visinton (ITA) took bronze in the men’s event and Eva Samkova (CZE) took gold and Michela Moioli (ITA) took silver in the women’s event.

Olympic silver medallist, Jarryd Hughes, also performed well, finishing third in the small final, giving him a final ranking of seventh place overall.

Other Australian athletes competing in Montafon were Adam Lambert (19th), Adam Dickson (31st) and Alex "Chumpy" Pullin (48th).

The Australian snowboard cross team will now travel to Cervinia, Italy, for the next FIS World Cup on December 22. 

Mt Hotham hosted races three and four of the SBX FIS ANC on Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 September with plenty of action across the two days.

A host of internationals from Germany, USA, Japan, Brazil, Korea, China, Thailand and Canada lined up against some strong, young Australian talent - a combination which resulted in some hotly contested races.

Olympian Belle Brockhoff was in fine form in her maiden competition in 2019, after returning from a knee injury, taking out first place in the women’s race three and was closely followed by Aussie Mia Clift who finished third.

In the men’s race, Olympian Cam Bolton won the silver with fellow Aussies Olympian Adam Lambert and Adam Dickson crossing the line in 5th and 6th position respectively.

The Aussie men remained consistent throughout the two day competition as they secured three top five positions in Race four -– Dickson third, Lambert fourth and Bolton in fifth.

Race for for the women saw the Aussie young guns step up and take it to the strong international cohort, with 15-year-old Mia Clift claiming second spot and 16-year-old Josie Banff taking out fourth place.

Young gun Mia Clift was crowned as the overall Continental Cup champion in the women’s and after some strong performances Cam Bolton claimed the men’s title.