With the opening snowboard halfpipe World Cup set to get underway tomorrow (Saturday), OWI Head Snowboard Coach Ben Wordsworth reports on training:

“Well, the World Cup is under way and training for the OWI snowboard team has been going well. After nearly 12 months off, Holly Crawford has regained her form and starting to push the limits of women's HP riding once again.”

“With only two days in the Cardrona pipe she is already doing some of the biggest airs of the women's field. It’s great to see her riding strong again and she is looking solid for this weekend’s event.”

“Hannah Trigger is also stepping up to the mark with some impressive runs and solid riding. New to the OWIA team, Nathan Johnstone is really coming into his own and stepping up to the men's field. Today's training saw Nathan doing some of the biggest frontside 9s of the men's riding and also linking some solid runs together in preparation for qualification tomorrow. All OWI athletes are looking forward to the weekend and the start of the 2008-2009 season.”
Snowboard Team SBX Report From COC Chapelco- ben wordsworth

“Reports from the snowboard cross team in Chapelco are also very positive. The first training session for the pre-World Cup Continental Cup started in today, with Damon Hayler and Alex Pullin both reporting a good day of training as they felt out the course in preparation for the next week’s World Cup.”

“Both athletes have had a great season of preparation and the Continental Cup races will top up their confidence and preparation, so they can head into the World Cup with a solid mind-set.”