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Aussies have podiums on their mind

 

Aussies have podiums on their mind

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AOC
Aussies have podiums on their mind

For Holly Crawford (halfpipe), Damon Hayler (snowboard cross), Alex Pullin snowboard cross) and Tatiana Borodulina (short track speed skating) a podium finish at these Olympics is firmly in their sight. All four have won either a World Championship or World Cup medal in the past two seasons.

Six confident members of the Australian Olympic Winter Team, from the sports of short track speed skating and snowboard, spoke with the world’s media in Vancouver today.

For Holly Crawford (halfpipe), Damon Hayler (snowboard cross), Alex Pullin snowboard cross) and Tatiana Borodulina (short track speed skating) a podium finish at these Olympics is firmly in their sight. All four have won either a World Championship or World Cup medal in the past two seasons.

Lachlan Hay (short track) and Jo Shaw (snowboard PGS) arrive in Vancouver in great shape with a tough qualifying period and injury behind them. Hay will make his Olympic debut in the 1000m and Shaw has come along way since her 29th in Torino. She placed fourth on the world cup circuit in 2008 and 2009.

Crawford, 26, will take on the pipe at Cypress Mountain fresh from a bronze medal at the Calgary World Cup last month.

“I’m just going out there and put together what I can basically. I think everyone will be pulling something out of the bag. It will be interesting to see what goes down,” she said She said.

Crawford doesn’t seem to be fazed by living in Torah Bright’s shadow.

“Having Torah up there in the media all the time kind of leaves me to do what I want to do in the background which can be good,” Crawford said.

Hayler, 33, is desperate to improve on his seventh placing at the Torino Olympics four years ago. He is happy with his preparation and feels he is peaking at the right time.

“Redemption for me will be to get a medal… it’s what I’ve come here for and I’m excited about the opportunity to represent Australia,” explained Hayler.

Pullin makes his Olympic debut in peak condition with a fifth place at a World Cup in Switzerland last month. Between the course and contact with other competitors some may say you need some luck in snowboard cross but Pullin doesn’t believe in luck.

“I’ve aimed this whole season based around racing to a final also I believe that with some good results you can put yourself in as good a position as possible to avoid anything that may cause… a racing incident,”  he said.

Borodulina was an Olympic finalist in 2006 representing Russia and with that valuable experience and her results since then she is a strong contender to medal for her new homeland.

“I still love Russia but now I'm part of the Australian team and for the next four years, at least, I will be representing Australia,” Bordulina said.

“I will try to skate my best and if I skate smart and I’m ready to try well. It all depends on the day.”

Hay holds the highest of regards for his fellow teammate.

“Tatiana’s really professional, in her skating and how she goes about things. She has really taught me a lot,” he said.

AOC

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