An injury to Holly Crawford has marred the start of the 2008/2009 World Cup season for Australia’s snowboard halfpipe team.

Competing in Cardrona, New Zealand, Crawford was unable to make it past the qualifying round after a fall in training aggravated a pre-existing bulging disc problem in her back.

Restricted in her movement, the 24-year-old Perisher Blue rider could only manage 10.0 points in the best of her two qualifying runs, finishing in 32nd place overall.

Olympic Winter Institute team-mate Hannah Trigger was also eliminated in the qualifying round, recording 21.4 points in her best run for 24th place.

In the men’s event, 19-year-old Nathan Johnstone was the best of the Australians, making it through to the semi-finals before finishing in 14th place on 32.2 points.

Johnstone, also a Perisher Blue rider, had qualified for the semi-finals with a best run of 34.1 points

Former Torino Olympians Ben Mates and Mitch Allan failed to qualify, Mates finishing in 21st place and his NSW team-mate in 27th.

Kohhei Kudoh won the men’s event on 48.9 points from his Japanese team-mate Ryoh Aono on 47.6 points and Canadian Crispin Lipscombe on 44.6 points.

Shiho Nakashima of Japan collected the women’s gold medal with 41.3 points from Sina Candrian of Switzerland on 38.3 points and Linn Haug of Norway on 37.4.

The World Cup snowboard halfpipe circuit now takes a break until it resumes in Saas Fee, Switzerland, on October 30.

Australia’s snowboard cross riders commence their 2008/09 season next weekend in Chapelco, Argentina.