FIS World Cup and the GB Team News

Work has begun on the construction of further rail and road tunnel connections between the 2014 Winter Olympic venue of Sochi, a city on the Black Sea coast, and the inland ski areas around Krasnaya Polyana, about 50km (30 miles) inland.

The new tunnels, which will extend for about 25km (16 miles) in total will further cut journey times, already shortened by the opening of an initial tunnel several years ago by then president Vladimir Putin, a keen skier and crucial backer of the 2014 Olympics who owns a condo in the area.

Some Western commentators have criticised preparations for the 2014 Games pointing to ski area development delays and saying that construction may not be completed in time. In part this is said to be due to the drastically diminished fortunes of some of the wealthy private investors in Games venues due to the worldwide economic downturn.

The construction of facilities for the 2014 Games has also been criticised by local and international environmental groups who claim it is encroaching on formerly unspoilt wilderness areas.

However Games organisers dispute all criticisms saying construction is on target and will not cause damage to the environment and that criticism is due to prejudice against Russia rather than reality.

Jiayu Liu and Gary Zebrowski victorious in season’s last halfpipe contest
World Cup titles go to Asia


Dom HaringtonIn the last halfpipe competition of the 2009 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup which took place today in Valmalenco, Italy, Jiayu Liu (CHN) and Gary Zebrowski (FRA) dominated the competition. In the ladies’ final, the newly crowned World Cup title winner from China once again impressed with her riding claiming her season’s third victory with 46.4 points. Holly Crawford (AUS, 40.6) came in second. Sarah Conrad (CAN, 38.9) rounded out the podium as third. On the men’s side, Gary Zebrowski celebrated his career’s second World Cup triumph just like 2005 in Tandadalen (SWE) at the World Cup finals. Scoring 48.0 points, the French rider gave no rise to doubts about who rules the roost by relegating Nathan Johnstone (AUS, 42.4) and Xiayoe Zeng (CHN, 41.9) to the second and third rank respectively.

Asia’s World Cup title winners had cleared their Crystal Globes already the last week with Jiayu Liu clinching her career’s first ever title due to 5,100 points earned over the last six months. The Chinese rider was followed by Japan’s Shiho Nakashima (3,320) and Soko Yamaoka (2,270). On the men’s side, Ryoh Aono (JPN) secured his career’s second Crystal Globe with 2,600 points after winning the title in 2007 ahead of Nathan Johnstone (2,310) and Gary Zebrowski (2,159.1).

But today, all eyes were on Jiayu Liu again – just like the most competitions over the last two years. The 19-year-old freestyler put her stamp on the 2009 season by placing five times on the podium in six starts, winning three of them. In addition, Liu also claimed the Gold medals in the 2009 FIS Snowboard World Championships in Gangwon, Korea and at the Universiade in China. No wonder that the rider who had celebrated her World Cup debut in Calgary two years ago by finishing as runner-up was all smiles after the World Cup title ceremony: “It was a very good season and I’m very proud to take home the Crystal Globe.” But that’s not all as “I worked a lot over the last season but still have to improve a lot.”

But today, the spectators along the 130 metres long halfpipe witnessed that Liu’s hard work paid off as her first run in the finals wasn’t to beat by her rivals. Starting with a very high “Frontside Air” and “Backside Air”, she also sticked a “Frontside 540 stale”, “Backside 540 melon”, “Frontside 720 indy” and a final “Cab 360 mute”. “It just went super good. I felt good all day. I’m really happy to have won in this perfect pipe”, said the Chinese rider.

Although Holly Crawford couldn’t ride as she wanted to due to the handling of some long-term consequences of her crash in Cypress about one month ago, the 25-year-old 2009 World Championships Silver medallist wasn’t disappointed with her result after she had thrown in a “Lien Air”, “Japan Air“, “Frontside 540 melon“, “Japan Air“, “Frontside 720 indy“, “Cab 360 mute“ and “Frontside nose“: “I’m pretty happy to close the season with a podium as I still have some problems since Cypress. In addition, I hurt myself in the training yesterday. But I tried to shut it out and get through it.”

Zebrowski finally on top again!

UK Results

Maelle Ricker and Michal Novotny win season’s last Snowboard Cross.
World Cup title for Jacobellis and Schairer.
Tension is high in duel for the Overall World Cup title.

In the last snowboard cross race of the 2009 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup which took place in Valmalenco, Italy, today, Maelle Ricker (CAN) and Michal Novotny (CZE) successfully competed against all other contenders on the “Barchi” course which was peppered with 18 features. In the ladies’ final, Ricker fulfilled her role as top favourite relegating her fellow countrywoman Dominique Maltais to the second spot after battling with her for position all the way down. Zoe Gillings (GBR) came in third ahead of Italia’s Raffaella Brutto. On the men’s side, Czech Novotny crossed the finish line ahead of Nick Baumgartner (USA), David Speiser (GER) and Paul-Henri Delerue (FRA). The Snowboard Cross World Cup title went to Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) who couldn’t start today after falling badly in yesterday’s qualifiers suffering a concussion and Markus Schairer (AUT) who both had secured the Crystal Globe in Spain last weekend already.

Canadian duel for ladies’ victory

Close decision in the Overall World Cup guaranteed

With Kjersti Buaas (NOR) and Markus Keller (SUI) two Europeans were able to claim victory in the second to last halfpipe competition of the 2009 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup. The Norwegian, who had also dominated the ladies’ qualifying heat before, earned today’s high score of 43.5 points in her first run already relegating reigning World Champion Jiayu Liu (CHN, 40.3) to the second spot. Thus, the Chinese World Cup leader (4,100) maintained her chance for securing her career’s first ever World Cup title. Elena Hight (USA, 36.3) rounded out the podium as third. On the men’s side, 2003 HP World Champion Markus Keller surprised all of his rivals with his first run earning 43.5 points and thus celebrating the first ever World Cup victory of his career after coming back from a contest break of more than five months. The Swiss rider was accompanied on the podium by US-Americans Louie Vito (41.4) and Steven Fisher (40.1).

Before, both US-riders had tried everything in order to edge off Keller who was in the lead after the first run from the top podium spot. After Fisher “only” jumped from rank five to third due to his “Frontside Air“, “Backside 540“, “Frontside 1080“, “Cab 720“, “Frontside 900“, and “Backside Air” it was Vito who attacked the so far best score of the day. The 20-year-old who turns 21 in just six days, started with “Back-to-back-1080’s” before a badly executed “Straight Air” dashed all of his hopes for victory. Thereafter, the 2005 Junior World Championships runner-up was back to action having not only the halfpipe under control again but also throwing in a smooth “Backside 540” and a final “Back-to-back 900” combination.

“My frontside wall of the pipe was so soft, so I didn’t have enough power for my “air”. (Thus), I’m pretty surprised that I ended up second in my first ever World Cup final. It’s a good season’s wrap up for me as I always had bad luck competing in World Cup competitions so far. But this was a good trip to Spain” said Vito after his tenth World Cup appearance.

The second rank popping up on the score board after his run was tantamount to the first ever World Cup triumph of Markus Keller who thus was clear to be the winner of the competition before dropping in the halfpipe for his second run in the finals which the Swiss rider who had placed on the podium only once before (3rd in Kreischberg 2004) obviously enjoyed with some surfing tricks like “Cutbacks” and “Laybacks”. “I never had something like this before. That was my first ever victory lap and I really wanted it ever since I compete. I’m so stoked.” The 26-year-old had deserved his victory lap with his first run sticking a “Mute to Fakie“, “Cab 720“, “Frontside 900“, “Backside 540“, “Frontside 720“, “Fakie to Stalefish“ and an “Alley Oop McTwist“ to finish it. However, he didn’t have expected this result in the newly built 160 metres long superpipe of the 2011 World Championships host: “Although I did well in the training I never thought of that. But I guess the tough conditions played in my hand.”

Fourth World Cup win for Norwegian

UK Results

Jacobellis and Schairer triumph in La Molina and thus also clinch the 2009 Snowboard Cross World Cup title.

In the second to last Snowboard Cross of the 2009 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup season in La Molina, Spain, Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) and Markus Schairer (AUT) celebrated an early World Cup title win due to their today’s victories. In the ladies’ final, US-American Jacobellis who claimed her season’s fifth triumph on the Alabauj course relegated Sandra Frei to the second rank by winning a close photo finish. Dominique Maltais (CAN) came in third ahead of Alexandra Jekova from Bulgaria. On the men’s side, Austria’s Markus Schairer secured his third win of the season. Despite the fact that he had entered the race with an injured knee, the reigning 2009 World Champion dominated all of his heats also crossing the finish line in the finals first ahead of his rivals for victory Nick Baumgartner (USA), Francois Boivin (CAN) and Australia’s Alex Pullin.

According to this the 21-year-old was all smiles: “I’m entirely happy. It was my goal to win today but achieving it is just ace!” Indeed, Austria’s National Champion benefitted from today’s conditions and the soft snow: “That really played into my hands as the conditions were perfect for my knee. The landing areas were pretty soft so I didn’t suffered hard strokes.” Now, the St. Gallenkirchen resident is considering carefully if he will start in next week’s World Cup finals being staged in Valmalenco (ITA): “My coaches and doctors told me not to do so. They reckon it would be the best to have a surgery as soon as possible. With an eye on the up-coming 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver I guess that would be the best.”

Following the Austrian in the current Snowboard Cross World Cup ranking mainly US-Americans Seth Wescott (3,680), Nick Baumgartner (2,600), Nate Holland (2,410) and Jonathan Cheever (2,370) are battling with Canada’s Mike Robertson (2,880) and Robert Fagan (2,250) in order to round out the season’s Snowboard Cross World Cup podium in Italy.

Winter’s first podium for second and third ranked riders

Lindsey Jacobellis truly is the queen of Snowboard Cross

For the second consecutive year, the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup visits La Molina. The venue of the 2011 FIS Snowboard World Championships hosts the second to last competitions in the disciplines Snowboard Cross (Mar, 12th + 13th), Halfpipe (Mar, 14th) and Parallel Giant Slalom (Mar, 15th) from March 12th through 15th, 2009. It’s the last chance for some of the riders to secure their ticket to the World Cup finals in Valmalenco (Italy) being staged the weekend after the contests in Spain. Only the top 50 of each discipline are allowed to enter the last snowboard decisions of the 2009 season. In addition, some preliminaries are also possible.

Comeback of the Olympic Champion

Asian faces her first Halfpipe WC title

Duel in the Snowboard Cross

Claiming a back-to-back win in Moscow, Stefan Gimpl has impressively underlined why he won his career’s third Big Air World Cup title (4,100 points) this winter. In front of approximately 20,000 spectators right at the State University, the successfully defending title holder, who had also celebrated victory one year ago at the same place, relegated Switzerland’s Thomas Franc (46.4) and Marko Grilc (SLO, 45.5) to the second and third rank respectively by earning a score of 50.4 points. Due to his second consecutive podium finish after Quebec, the Slovenian wrapped up his contest season as runner-up in the Big Air World Cup ranking with 1.640 points edging off Finland’s Peetu Piiroinen (1.450), who didn’t start today, to the third spot.

“Celebrating my career’s third World Cup title is awesome. It was a super good season in a great team. I can’t believe at all how much luck I had” said the newly minted title holder after his triumph in Moscow. However, Gimpl’s performance was anything but fortunate. Secure and stylish are the adjectives which describe his riding today in a much better way. Sticking a perfectly executed “Cab 900” in his first run, the 29-year-old laid the foundation for his sixth World Cup win in his 19th start. In addition, his third trick – a “Frontside 900” – also earned the best score in the final run. “But before, I was so nervous. I don’t get it. After having had so much success over the last years one should think that I don’t have to deal with nervousness any more but it seems that it won’t stop. That I grabbed another Gold is fantastic!”

What was another Gold for one rider was a fog which lifted for another one. In the last Big Air at Quebec, Thomas Franc was fighting for the win for just a long time but had to accept his dashed hopes after bailing the last jump finally finishing the competition as eighth. Today, in contrary, the 20-year-old was able to clinch his career’s first ever podium result in a Big Air World Cup contest. “That’s fantastic! After Quebec, I was hoping that it would work out today. After I didn’t get well into the season I was getting better and better over the past weeks.” And how good he really was, the Davos resident proofed with a smooth “Frontside 1080” and a “Backside 720” earning just 0.9 points more in total than third ranked Marko Grilc.

Before, the Slovenian had once again – just like in Quebec – caused some big cheering of the crowd sticking a clean “Double Backflip”. But his “Frontside 900” of the second run was also as smooth as always. “I’m so stocked to be on the podium again. It was a cool contest, a great location and a super audience. This is the perfect ending of my competition season as it’s now time for me to go filming again.

For the UK, Sam Cullum finished 90th, Nate Kern 109th and Dan Wakeham 125th, Ben Kilner 129th and Dom Harington 131st.

For the third season in a row, the 2009 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup will stop for a Big Air right in front of the State University in Moscow. In addition, it’s the second time that the disciplines’ World Cup finals will be held in the Russian capital to crown the new World Cup title holder. On March 7th, right after the last Big Air competition’s night final of this winter, Stefan Gimpl who successfully kept hold on his title by winning the last event in Quebec, Canada, just a few weeks ago will receive his career’s third Crystal Globe. The freestyle veteran will be awarded in front of a phenomenal setting. Last year, more than 25’000 spectators watched the contest which was won by no other than World Championships Bronze medallist Gimpl.

In three days, about 50 riders coming from more than ten countries will meet again in Moscow in order to seek this Saturday’s best one. But it’s not only about the victory. It’s also time for bringing about a decision of who will be the second and third of the season’s ranking behind of Gimpl (3100 points). According to the current standings, even Anton Bilare (490) who is sitting in 19th place could make it to the runner-up position occupied so far by Peetu Piiroinen (FIN), 1450 who won’t enter the competition in Russia. However, it’s a Slovenian who has the best chance to edge off the Finnish pro. So far fifth ranked Marko Grilc (1040) underlined already in Quebec that he is able to go for it as he jumped on the podium finishing second.

When it comes down for the showdown in the final of the best riders, the Norwegian squad has to be taken into account as three of them made it in the top-7 at the Quebec Big Air two weeks ago – including Per-Iver Grimsrud and Kim-Rune Hansen who will start again as well as Stian Aannestad and Sindre Iversen, the 2008 third place finisher in Moscow. In addition, Matevz Petek (SLO) who is still waiting for his season’s first podium and Pim Stigter (NED), Michael Macho (AUT), Iouri Podladtchikov and Thomas Franc (both SUI) as well as Finnish rippers like Risto Mattila, Markus Malin and Sami Saarenpaa will show their skills, too.

The 2009 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup Big Air finals will be broadcast live on Eurosport2 and Sport Klub (SLO + CRO).

Maelle Ricker and Graham Watanabe victorious in Snowboard Cross at Sunday River / Ross Powers with impressive comeback.

Close battle for victory in the ladies final

Outstanding comeback for Olympic Champion

McKenna and Kilner finish 14th and 16th respectively.

Soko Yamaoka (JPN) and Jeff Batchelor (CAN) have secured the victory in the season’s sixth halfpipe contest of the 2009 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup. In the night finals held at Stoneham, Quebec, the Japanese rider successfully competed against the rest of the ladies’ pack due to a score of 44.3 points. Shiho Nakashima (40.4) finished seconds taking over the World Cup lead with a total of 3,320 points from not started Jiayu Liu and now leading with only 20 points over the Chinese. Rana Okada (37.8) rounded out the Japanese podium sweep as third. On the men’s side, Batchelor (45.5) celebrated a double victory for his home country as his team mate Brad Martin (44.2) came in second ahead of third ranked Finn Markus Malin (43.2).

Already in the qualification, Jeff Batchelor had posted the top score thus intimidating that he would be the man to beat. According to this, the 21-year-old from Oakville, Ontario, entered the training for the night finals confidently. In the chair lift up to the halfpipe, the 2009 World Championships runner-up had already stated that he came here to win. Only a few minutes later, he proved his statement with an impressive first run showing that Batchelor definitely knows how to spell “air time”. He dropped in with a huge “Japan Air” followed by a “Frontside 900”, “Backside 900”, “Frontside 540” and a “Backside 1080” to wrap up the winning run which raised the bar too high for his contenders. “The last years, I was plagued in Stoneham (finishing 13th and 5th). This time, I came to take it. But now a big load is from my shoulders as I haven’t won in two years” Batchelor said after his career’s second World Cup win.

It could have been the second triumph for Brad Martin, too, but the 2006 Olympian missed it by only 1.3 points. However, Martin was more than pleased about his fifth podium in 31 starts. Another podium by the way which he snatched in Canada. It seems that the 23-year-old has a favour for contests in his home country as he had earned all of his top-3-finishs in Whistler, Calgary and Stoneham so far. “Last year (in Calgary) I was ahead of Jeff, this time he is first. It’s always fun to be on the podium with this guy.” That the decision for first or second was a close one didn’t affect him at all: “I had a lot of fun in an icy, big and simply perfect pipe here in Stoneham. I sticked my trick and this is what came out.” 44.2 points were the reward for his second run consisting of a “Frontside Air”, “Backside 540”, “Frontside 1080”, “Cab 720” and a final “Frontside 1260”, a run which was identical to the one of last week in Cypress where he ended up seventh.

Finn is best European

After they already claimed victory a few days ago on the 2010 Olympic course at Cypress, Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) and Markus Schairer (AUT) also secured Gold at Stoneham last week and thus extended their Snowboard Cross World Cup lead. In the sixth SBX race of the current season of the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup, the US-American successfully competed against Mellie Francon (SUI), Maelle Ricker (CAN) and Zoe Gillings (GBR) who came in second, third and fourth respectively. On the men’s side, the reigning World Champion from Austria secured his back-to-back win against Jonathan Cheever and Seth Wescott from the USA and Canada’s Robert Fagan who finished fourth.


Jacobellis (right) leads Gillings and FreiHowever, before Schairer crossed the finish line first it definitely didn’t looked like another win for the Austrian rider as Robert Fagan took off for a wire-to-wire in the men’s final. Fagan also had dominated the qualifiers posting the best time and won his quarter and semi final. But on the way to his first ever World Cup triumph, the 32-year-old Canadian screwed up the second-to-last hip jump opening the door to Schairer’s second win in a row. “I’m so disappointed as I was nicely in the lead” stated Fagan after the final. “I skied out that hip jump and couldn’t hold it. I was feeling super good and went for it. I completely screwed it up. I should have ridden smarter” added Fagan after he had missed his career’s third World Cup podium.

Thus, one man’s poison was another man’s meat as like in Cypress last week, Markus Schairer was the one who once again was able to benefit the most from a mistake of one of his competitors. Especially as his “batteries were all empty before the start of the finals.” This became obvious after the very last heat of the day had taken off when the World Cup leader (4.160 points) entered the first roller section in fourth position. “But then I passed Seth (Wescott) in the first bank and Jonathan (Cheever) in the second turn. I would have been more than just OK with the second rank but now I’m super happy with even more points to defend my World Cup lead” 21-year-old Schairer said.

Jacobellis “Queen of Stoneham”

Francon and Cheever all smiles, too

At the fifth Halfpipe contest of the 2009 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup, Kelly Clark and Shaun White impressively underlined that the US-American Olympic Champion from 2002 and her fellow countrymen who won in 2006 are the top aspirants for another Gold medal at Vancouver 2010. Clark (42.6) secured her back-to-back World Cup win in front of the current leader of the World Cup standings Jiayu Liu (39.0). The Chinese girl thus prevented another US podium sweep like in Bardonecchia a few days before when today’s third and fourth ranked Hannah Teter (38.8) and Gretchen Bleiler (37.0) finished second and third. On the men’s side, Shaun White celebrated his career’s second World Cup win at Cypress Mountain, Canada, due to a massive score of 47.3 points. Ryoh Aono from Japan (44.8) and Switzerland’s Iouri Podladtchikov (44.3) rounded out the podium as second and third respectively.


Shaun WhiteBefore, more than 100 participants had turned the two-day event into a superb snowboard show by checking out the 2010 Olympic Halfpipe also giving a first impression of the level and riding to be expected next year. Especially the finals provided some huge airs and technical tricks like “Back-to-back 1080’s” in the men’s competition as well as some other highlights like the “Frontside 1260” thrown in by Brad Martin (CAN) who finally ended up seventh. No wonder, that snowboard superstar Shaun White was more than just pleased with his victory at his third World Cup appearance regarding the high level performances: “This win means a lot to me. You get to know everything, the pipe as well as the whole set-up. Next year is going to be wild! All riders did well. There is so much talent out there. It wasn’t easy to win as I haven’t seen the most of them for a while now.”

However, despite not knowing what tricks his contenders would show, White, who had also dominated the qualifiers earlier today, acted befitting his status as reigning Olympic Champion. His winning run consisting of a “Frontside Air”, “Backside 900”, “Frontside 1080”, “Cab 1080” and an “Alley Oop Backside Rodeo” to finish with earned him the best score unreachable for all others.

Indeed Ryoh Aono gave it another try to attack the top score with his second run which was almost identical to the one White had delivered in run one of the finals – the Japanese just changed the final trick into a “Frontside 900”. But in the end, the 18-year-old had to accept that spin-to-win is not always paying off and didn’t better his points. However, the ambitious World Champion who also sits in first position in the race for the Crystal Globe wasn’t disappointed at all. “Well, of course I wanted to win today but I will get another chance in one year”, so his declaration of war for the 2010 Olympics.

Maybe both main actors of today’s snowboard show have to deal also with Iouri Podladtchikov again when it comes down to the decision who will take home Olympic honours. After he had crashed in his first run placing eleventh the 20-year-old was able to get back to business claiming his second third rank in a row after Bardonecchia just a few days ago. “That was the best run I ever sticked in a contest so far” “Ipod” explained after his “Frontside Air”, “Backside 540”, “Back-to-back 1080’s” and a final “Alley Oop Backside Rodeo”. “Looking on the final results, of course I would have loved to take the second spot but I’m more than pleased. Only the reigning Olympic Champion as well as the 2009 World Champion are sitting in front of me.”

Clark still on fire!

Kelly Clark

The two World Cup leaders Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) and Markus Schairer (AUT) have extended their lead in the race for the Crystal Globe by winning today’s fourth Snowboard Cross of the 2009 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup staged at Cypress Mountain, Canada. In the ladies’ final, the US-American relegated Olivia Nobs (SUI) and 2009 World Champion Helene Olafsen from Norway to the second and third spot respectively. Maelle Ricker (CAN) missed the podium as fourth. On the men’s side, the World Champion from Austria underlined his good shape on the 2010 Olympic course “Fork” securing his career’s first ever World Cup win by successfully competing against Mike Robertson (CAN), 2006 Olympic Champion Seth Wescott (USA) and Francois Boivin (CAN).

In the ladies‘ competition, the decision was taken in favour of the 2006 Olympic runner-up in the first bank of the 1,100 metres long and due to numerous features demanding course. “It was the most inside line I took the entire time I rode the course. But it had to be done as Olivia (Nobs) had more air time and landed right in front of me. So I tried to dive in and pass her” said Jacobellis. A move which paid off for the 23-year-old, who was able to bring home her 17th World Cup win with a comfortable lead. On her way to Gold she also benefited from the course profile “which played to my strong sides. I love courses like this one with great jumps and turns. It was a blast to ride this course and even better to win the race.”

Although she had been thwarted in bank number one and thus missed the chance to win Olivia Nobs was pleased with her result: “I’m not disappointed at all. For me it’s still the beginning of my comeback. I’m happy of finishing second. It doesn’t feel like I lost the first rank.” Especially as the decisive duel with Jacobellis “was a fair fight. She touched my board but this is Snowboard Cross” said the fastest of yesterday’s qualifiers further on.

First World Cup win for World Champion

The UK's Zoe Gillings, pictured here during qualifications, finished in 10th place overall.

Celebrating one year to go to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the British Olympic Association (BOA) today announced that Calgary has been chosen as the location for Team GB’s Preparation Camp prior to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Athletes from all the sports that Team GB is likely to qualify in will be preparing for the Olympic Winter Games in Calgary.

The decision follows a review of potential locations and a comprehensive consultation process with the winter sport Team Leaders. The decision to host the Team GB Preparation Camp in Calgary was based on the following:

• Quality and proximity of sports venues;
  
• Caters for all winter Olympic sport training;
  
• International airport with hourly flights to Vancouver;
  
• Flight time to Vancouver 1 hour & no immigration at Vancouver airport as domestic flight;
  
• Infrastructure to handle all Team GB requirements such as health care/hospitals, accommodation, comprehensive transport network, facilities for leisure and recreation;
  
• Only +1 hour time change from Vancouver; and
  
• Tried and proven by Team GB - Calgary was the Preparation Camp prior to the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

“In Calgary we can profit from the great venues and facilities used during the Calgary 1988 Olympic Winter Games. Team GB’s Preparation Camp prior to the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games was also in Calgary, so we know the area well. We are confident that it can deliver what we need to allow Team GB to go into the Games as the best prepared team possible.

We have had some fantastic results from several of our winter sport athletes in 2008 and our statistics show that if the Games had been last year, Team GB would have moved from 21st position in the medal table in Turin to 12th in 2008.

In the last couple of months alone we have seen Shelly Rudman, Amy Williams and Kristan Bromley taking medals in World and European Bob Skeleton Championships and Cups, Nicola Minichiello and her team secure a range of medals in World and European Bobsleigh Cups, Jon Eley winning silver in the 500m Short Track Speed Skating World Cup, snowboarder Zoe Gillings grabbing a World Cup bronze and the Kerr siblings take bronze in the European Figure Skating Champs – all this is very exciting with Vancouver just one year away.”

“I have been to and used almost all the venues which will host the Team GB Preparation Camp in 2010 and they are great. The facilities are all world class and up to World Cup standard with many improvements having been made since the Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics. Being so close to Vancouver and Whistler makes transition for time zone and jet lag very easy: there are no borders to cross, it is only a one hour flight and there is only a one hour time difference to Vancouver. Because the facilities are North American built, they have North American attributes, which might be different to training at a European facility – so good preparation for what we can expect to find at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.”

Exactly one year before the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, British Olympic Association (BOA) Chairman Colin Moynihan was in Vancouver to accept the official invitation to attend the Games on behalf of Team GB.

Inviting the athletes of the world to Vancouver, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge said, “The Olympic Games engender dreams and inspiration in the hearts of young people everywhere. For athletes around the world the chance to compete next year in Vancouver will be their goal, the culmination of a lifetime’s ambition. I wish them all good luck, and on behalf of the IOC, I invite them to participate in the XXI Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, one year from now.”

BOA Chairman Colin Moynihan said, "As the next Host Nation for the summer Olympic Games, I was delighted to receive the invitation from the President of the International Olympic Committee for Team GB to participate in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.”

Moynihan is excited by positive recent results for GB winter athletes in World and European competitions, “We have strong medal prospects in the winter sports disciplines, which are delivering promising results this season. Vancouver is already buzzing with expectation and excitement. These Winter Games will be outstanding. British results should see a real step-up from the Turin 2006 Olympic Winter Games, before continuing on the road to London 2012."

Great Britain’s top female snowboarder Zoe Gillings, ranked sixth in the world, shared the sense of anticipation, "I'm in Vancouver right now and there is a real buzz around the city. I competed on the Olympic course on Cypress Mountain yesterday and I can't believe the Games are only 12 months away, I'm really excited. The British Olympic Association is providing terrific support in preparation for 2010."

Fresh from claiming the European Championships bronze medal alongside his sister Sinead, John Kerr added: “Sinead and I are extremely excited that the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver are now only one year away. The Pacific Coliseum, where our event will take place, was recently used for the Four Continent Championships and it proved to be a fantastic venue. Just watching the event got us very excited about skating there in 12 months time. Vancouver itself is an amazing city and we believe that it could prove to be one of the great Olympic Winter Games.”

Britain’s number one figure skater in pairs Stacey Kemp, who partners David King, commented, “It is just pure excitement. Something we've worked our entire lives for and that has always seemed so far away is now just around the corner. We hope our first Olympic Games will be in Vancouver.”

Earlier, the Vancouver Organising Committee (VANOC) launched the Olympic Torch and the uniforms for the torchbearers at a ceremony in Whistler, the site of the sliding events and many of the ski disciplines in 2010. This was another key milestone on the way to this year’s torch-lighting ceremony in Olympia, Greece.

Team GB is heading out to Poland on Saturday for the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival.

The European Youth Olympic Winter Festival (EYOWF) is one of seven International Olympic Committee (IOC) sanctioned events. The first EYOWF took place in 1993 in Italy, with Andorra (1995), Finland (2001), Slovenia (2003) and Spain (2007) amongst others, playing host to the Festival.

The EYOWF provides young athletes with a unique Olympic experience and Team GB has been represented at every edition since it began. The BOA recognises the importance of participating in multi-sport events such as this, focusing on the preparation and development of our talented young athletes into Team GB Olympic winter champions of the future.

Team GB has won five medals at previous EYOWF’s.

Slask-Beskidy 2009

Team GB – see tomorrow’s Olympians today

In a few days, another first of the 2009 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup takes place as Cypress is not only hosting three World Cup events for the first time, but also organising the competitions on the 2010 Olympic snowboard venue. The world’s best riders will meet at the resort close to Vancouver, BC, Canada. More than 300 athletes from 31 countries will compete in a Snowboard Cross (Feb, 12th + 13th), a Halfpipe contest (Feb, 14th) and a Parallel Giant Slalom (Feb, 15th) in order to battle for World Cup points and a total price money of 150.000 Canadian Dollars.

Outstanding line-up

Shaun White ready to rumble

In the fourth Halfpipe contest of the 2009 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup two riders secured victory in Bardonecchia/Melezet today, who had missed the Olympic podium at the same venue three years ago. In the ladies’ final where the top-5 of the 2006 Winter Games competed in, Kelly Clark (USA) relegated her team colleagues, who had grabbed Gold and Silver at the 2006 Olympics, Hannah Teter (43.2) and Gretchen Bleiler (39.4) to the second and third rank due to a score of 45.1 points. In contrary to the ladies where the USA celebrated a podium sweep no man of the strong US-American squad made it in the top-3. It was Mathieu Crepel from France who earned the best score with 47.0 points winning today’s World Cup ahead of second ranked Nathan Johnstone (43.5) from Australia and Iouri Podladtchikov (SUI, 42.8).

Although she didn’t want to call it obtaining satisfaction the 25-year-old 2002 Olympic Champion was very pleased about her third World Cup win. “For me personally it’s a good feeling to win where I was defeated three years ago” said Kelly Clark. Back then, she had missed the podium as fourth but today she claimed victory due to a very strong second run. After Hannah Teter had taken over the lead of Clark who had placed first after run one of the finals due to a “Backside Air”, “Back-to-back 540’s”, a “Frontside 720” and a “Cab 540” Clark came back having the right answer in her ninth World Cup event throwing in a “Frontside Air”, a “Backside 540” as well as “Back-to-back 720’s” and a “Frontside 540” to conclude her run. “Hannah (Teter) was riding very strong but I just did my run as I wanted it. I’m glad that I won this great event and that the US took 1, 2 and 3.”

Second placed Hannah Teter was also pleased with today’s result. “It reminded me of 2006 as the snow was also as soft as at the Olympics. But what shall I say. I’m in a privileged position being able to do what I want to. I compete with the best in the world and can hand over my price money to kids who are not as privileged as I am” said the 22-year-old 2006 Olympic Champion.

Crepel finishes winning run with a “Frontside 1260”

Mathieu Crepel should also have made his freedom with the halfpipe in Bardonecchia today after he had missed the 2006 Olympic finals as 17th – although “this dates way back. But I have learned what I had to learn from this. Today, it was a new contest.” A new contest and an exciting one as the 24-year-old impressed in the second run of the finals with a brilliant finish which was the icing on the cake of the Halfpipe competition.

Crepel started with a “Frontside 1080” into a “Cab 1080” followed by a “Frontside Air” as well as a “Backside 540” just to finish his run with a “Frontside 1260” as smooth as his other tricks. “After the other riders had attacked in run two I had to step it up, too. And I did it. I’m super stoked. I wanted to give my best, especially as all the fans had cheered so much.”

One of the guys who had put the 2009 World Championships Bronze medallist under pressure was Nathan Johnstone who celebrated his career’s best World Cup result as second – and this with a run featuring “only” four hits. But due to phenomenal amplitude at his “Cab 1080”, “Back-to-back 900’s” and his “lien Air” he was able to impress the five judges. “I’m very happy. I had worked on my amplitude and this paid off. Now, I have to try to squeeze in a fifth trick in my run” said Johnstone after the finals.

The British Snowboard Team selections for the 2009/2010 winter season will this year be made at the BRITS in Laax, Switzerland between 28th March and 4th April, and not as in previous years during a summer selection camp. Riders wishing to try out for selection to the British Snowboard Team must email their name and contact number to maggie@snowsportgb.com by Wednesday 25th March 2009 to register interest for team selection.

Selection will comprise of;
• Sunday 29th March - technical skills assessment where athletes will have the opportunity to demonstrate their ability and ride with the British Snowboard Team coaches.
• Monday 30th March – Thursday 2nd April (competition week) - assessment of competitive ability and performance.
• Friday 3rd April – final assessment day. This event is weather dependant and will be confirmed in resort.

The 2009/2010 British Snowboard Team Selection policy will be published over the coming weeks. If you require any further information on the British Snowboard Team do not hesitate to contact Maggie Lawrie on maggie@snowsportgb.com or 0131 3355678.

Heavy snow fall has prevented the first ever Slopestyle finals in the history of the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup in Bardonecchia/Melezet today. Due to permanent fresh snow in the course and the difficulties involved to ride the kicker section with the necessary speed, the jury – consisting of Chief of competition Gianmarco Peri (ITA), Technical Delegate Roman Arnold (SUI) and Head Judge Steve Brown (AUS) – came to an unanimous decision together with FIS Race Director Marcel Looze to cancel the semi finals and finals which were scheduled for today.

This decision was a tough one for Marcel Looze: “To ensure the safety we had to decide like this as the weather forecast didn’t show any improvement. So, we unfortunately had no other choice. I’m sorry for all riders who really enjoyed the Slopestyle course.”

However, FIS and the local organisers were pleased with yesterday’s qualifiers. “It shows that we are on the right way and are looking forward to have more Slopestyle competitions for the next seasons” said Marcel Looze further on.

The qualifiers for tomorrow’s Halfpipe contest will be held as scheduled.

After the race disciplines wrapped up yesterday, it was time for the freestylers to take over and call the shots. In today’s qualifiers for the Halfpipe competition of the 8th FIS Snowboard World Championships in Gangwon, Korea presented by LG, 2007 double World Champion Mathieu Crepel (Halfpipe and Big Air) impressively underlined that he is ready to keep hold on his title. In the first qualification heat, the 24-year-old French rider threw in a solid run including a Frontside 1080, back-to-back 900’s and for example a Backside 540 Alley Oop earning 45.5 points. Thus, the defending champion went directly on to the finals as top ranked freestyler of his heat. Christian “Hitsch” Haller (SUI) accompanied him as second with 41.8 points.

However, the score of Crepel wasn’t the highest one as his fellow team mate Gary Zebrowski was the measure of all things. The 24-year-old seemed to take off to the moon sticking some huge tricks going even higher than Ryoh Aono from Japan. Due to his run consisting of a Backside Air, Frontside 1080, Cab 1080, Frontside 900, a Backside 540 and a final Frontside Air Zebrowski was the one leading the ranking of heat 2 with 48.6 points ahead of the Japanese powerhouse who earned 46.4.
Making their way from heat 3 directly to the final were Olympic Bronze medallist Markku Koski (44.5) from Finland and Xiayoe Zeng from China with a 39.2.

Twelve riders with second chance

Chinese girl aims for Gold

The first champions of the 2009 FIS Snowboard World Championships Gangwon, Korea presented by LG are crowned. Helene Olafsen (NOR) and Markus Schairer (AUT) claimed victory in a very exciting first contest of this year’s major event. Olafsen celebrated a wire-to-wire triumph in the ladies final as she took the lead right away from the start finally relegating Switzerland’s Olivia Nobs and Mellie Francon to the second and third rank respectively. Maelle Ricker from Canada came in as the unlucky fourth. On the men’s side, the final was the closest ever in a World Championships. 2007 World Champion Xavier Delerue was leading the pack of four riders all the way down until Schairer edged him off to second spot crossing the finish line only one centimeter ahead of the French rider. Nick Baumgartner (USA) rounded out the podium as third ahead of Tom Velisek from Canada.

“This was such a tight final but I knew I was leading when I went into the finish” Markus Schairer said after his first ever big victory. The young Austrian who had automatically raised his hand in a triumphant pose after finishing added: “It’s an unbelievable feeling: right at the start I was hoping not to finish fourth. Then I had a super start and tried to pass Xavier a few times. In the end, I noticed that had he made a mistake and went for it. Now, I can only enjoy this moment.” It was the well-earned price for the 21-year-old after winning the qualifiers of the last two World Cups and yesterday’s time trials without winning a race so far. Until today.

On the other hand, former World Champion Xavier Delerue was a little bit disappointed about the mistake “which I made at the second last jump. But this is OK. I was struggling with the weather the whole day, I don’t mind.” However, from now on, his main goal is the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. “Therefore it was a good lesson to stay concentrated all the way down although I should have done so as I should be experienced enough.”

In the ladies’ competition, Helene Olafsen took home Gold after she placed third two years ago in Arosa. This, despite the fact that she normally doesn’t train any snowboard cross but only practices in the halfpipe: “I don’t understand it yet. I felt better than yesterday” where she placed seventh in the qualifiers. “It was fun to ride and if I have fun I do well. I knew that I could do better than yesterday as I did some mistakes in the qualifying” so the 18-year-old rider further one who won all of her heats today.

Olivia Nobs, Switzerland, Second, who had the best time in the qualification: “I’m really happy that I did a good qualifying. Today was the day to do something so I gave my best. The final was tight and I kept fighting. But Helene had the better start. I’m happy with the second rank.”

Nick Baumgartner, USA, Third: “I’ve been going for it. This is the best year in my career so far. Coming for the first time to the World Champions and medaling just feels super good especially with this strong final heat.”

Zoe Gillings (GBR) came 11th.

Facing unsteady and sometimes tough weather conditions in the Takasu Snow Park at Gujo, Gifu Province, two main aspirants for victory were able to successfully compete against all other contenders. In the last contest of the 2009 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup prior the 8th FIS Snowboard World Championships in Korea, which will take place from January 17th to 24th in Gangwon, Jiayu Liu (CHN) and Ryoh Aono (JPN) secured the win and thus also took over the Halfpipe World Cup lead.

The Chinese rider had already set the base for her triumph in run one of the ladies’ final when she earned 43.5 points. In the second run, no one of the other five riders beat the score, so Zhifeng Sun was able to celebrate a Chinese double victory together with her team mate finishing second with 38.8 points, having only a lead of 1.4 points on third ranked Japanese Soko Yamoka. On the men’s side, Aono proved some nerves made of steel scoring 43.8 points in the second run after Ben Mates (AUS) had shortly taken over the lead with 40.6 points bringing home his career’s best result as second. In addition, Wancheng Shi rounded out the podium as third (CHN, 38.6) with another career’s best in today’s final ranking.

Mates had planned a lot for his second final at his 28 World Cup starts. After he had already placed fifth in the first run of the final he proposed to himself to “get down a better, clearer run” true to his today’s motto “No safety runs!” In the consistently heavier snowfall and after some of his opponents had bailed the 25-year-old Australian sticked such a clean run including a “Frontside 900” followed by a “Backside 540”, “Back-to-back 720’s” wrapping-up with a “Straight Air” bringing him the temporary first rank. “I was going all or nothing. I wanted a good result and it paid off”, so the Olympian of the 2006 Winter Games in Torino.

Thereafter, Shi and fourth ranked Kazuumi Fujita (JPN) weren’t able to counter but so did the leader after run number one Ryoh Aono. Throwing in a high level performance with great air time including a “Lien Air” to start with, a “Backside 900”, a Frontside 720” as well as a “Cab 720” and a final “Frontside 900”. “I’m very happy that everything worked out. I didn’t expect it but everybody was cheering for me. In addition, my coach and tech supported me in a great way”, said the Japanese rider after the finals.

Jiayu Liu now one of top aspirants for World Championships title

Jacobellis and Hayler take home Gold in Bad Gastein’s 2nd Snowboard Cross.

The fourth Snowboard Cross of the 2009 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup wrapped up today with two more than just enthralling final heats with Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) and Damon Hayler (AUS) celebrating victory on the Bucheben hill in Bad Gastein. In the ladies’ final of the second race in Austria’s ski resort, the US-American secured her career’s 16th World Cup win due to a brilliant passing manoeuvre against Dominique Maltais edging the so far leading rider to the second rank. Zoe Gillings (GBR) came in third ahead of Alexandra Jekova (BUL). On the men’s side, Hayler celebrated the first Snowboard Cross triumph for Australia. But he also benefitted from mistakes and crashes of his contenders, especially Graham Watanabe (USA) who got disqualified ending up fourth. In addition, both, second and third ranked Markus Schairer (AUT) and Mike Robertson (CAN) went down.

Women's Podium, Zoe Gillings 2nd from right.

In the only Snowboard Cross race of the 2009 LG Snowboard FIS World Cup, which is staged under floodlight, Sandra Frei (SUI) and Xavier Delerue (FRA) were able to successfully compete against their contenders coming from 24 countries. In front of almost 4,000 spectators, the Swiss World Cup leader just picked up where she left off in Arosa last year – winning the race. However, in the finals, the 25-year-old benefited from a crash of Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) and Maelle Ricker (CAN) who finished in the end as third and fourth respectively. France’s Deborah Anthonioz came in second. On the men’s side, Xavier Delerue once again underlined his outstanding riding skills. Neither second ranked Czech Michal Novotny nor Nate Holland (USA) who rounded out the podium as third or surprising fourth Konstantin Schad from Germany were able to threaten the eleventh World Cup win of the reigning World Champion.

And this despite the fact that the father of a family travelled to Bad Gastein with a lack of competition experience. It was just the fifth contest for 29-year-old after the Olympic Winter Games in Torino: “It was as hard to win as in the earlier days. I wasn’t feeling that comfortable today after my patchy qualification result. I didn’t thought of me as a favourite for victory. But it’s good. It’s great to win.” Especially if the race is staged under 100,000 Watt floodlight: “Ever since, Bad Gastein is a very special place to be, but especially this year as the course is super good. Intense, but perfect!”

Michal Novotny, who celebrated his career’s second World Cup podium result, went even the extra mile: “Well, I’m actually really surprised about this result as I didn’t get along with the course. Actually, I was scared of it in the beginning so I did a lot of speed checking.” Nate Holland was also glad “to stay on my feet after this race.” However, the US-American thinks that “I’m on schedule” after he had earned his career’s ninth World Cup podium: “It usually takes some time until I get into the season. I guess I traditionally get better in January. So, today’s race for sure was a confidence builder – also for the up-coming World Championships in Korea.”

Sandra Frei seems to take over the role as main aspirant for World Championships Gold

On the ladies side, the confidence of Sandra Frei should be more than just strong as the 2007 World Championships runner-up took home victory number three within the last four World Cup races. However, the Swiss rider knew that she was favoured by fortune in the finals. “But having the lucky end is part of snowboarding, too. I had a pretty bad start but ended up way to fast right before the first steep bank. So I took it slowly trying to avoid a crash. Well, I guess this is what the others then did”, said the back-to-back winner from Flims all smiles.

Konstantin Schad was also favoured by fortune at his second Snowboard Cross finals participation: “I was the lucky one in my pretty strong eighth final but then simply floored it. I’m more than happy as the qualifiers and the head-to-head duels are two totally different disciplines. And I for sure prefer the heats racing against three other guys.

Zoe Gillings from GB finished in 13th position.