SNOWBOARD: Olympic debutant Matt Cox hasn't started his campaign in the fashion he hoped, missing the snowboard slopestyle finals.
The 23-year-old from Stanwell Park, New South Wales stepped onto the big stage in the zone, with the added motivation of just witnessing his teammate Tess Coady claim bronze.
Unfortunately it wasn’t his day, as scores of 34.46 in the first run and 39.98 in the second weren’t enough to qualify for the final, finishing 26th.
“The first run, in the start gate, I was there but I was two steps ahead of myself,” Matt said.
“It was like I had already landed the run [in my mind], so I was going through [the run] but not quite present.
“I ended up making super small mistakes… I think that was down to jitters.
“I got back up there, was so ready for that second run and I was like ‘yeah this is it’. I had the feeling.
“We are all very talented snowboarders and all used to conditions changing. I guess a little bit of a mind game there, with it being a bit firmer than expected.
“I guess expectations always ruin reality, that was a bit of a rough one.”
While Matt’s slopestyle competition is over, he still has the big air to come which starts on Monday 14 February.
Lauren Ryan
#HaveAGo
Snowboard
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