OWIA Head snowboard Coach Ben Wordsworth reports from New Zealand training:

After a successful training camp and dual Continental Cup races in Mt Hotham, we have been training in NZ at Cardrona resort.

The focus of this domestic season for Alex Pullin was to test new equipment in preparation for the start of the 2010-2011 World Cup season. We have had some great training over the last couple of weeks in and out of the course. We have been testing equipment on all types of terrain and, most importantly, in Cardrona's SBX course. The last days of training have been focused around time trials in the course to see what boards are fast for Chumpy. He has narrowed his selection down to two and will travel with these boards on the World Cup this season. The camp has been very successful and we are looking forward to the start of the season in December.

Nathan Johnstone has also had a very successful domestic season camp in NZ. After placing second in the World Junior halfpipe championship, he has been working hard getting all his tricks back in preparation for the start of the season. The last couple of training days for Nathan have been focused around getting his double cork tricks back in the pipe. Nathan is back to where his riding was last year before the Olympics (and before his injury) and is ready to start his season of competition in December.

Holly Crawford took the Domestic season off snow to focus on her fitness and prepare for the international season. Holly will return to snow in the middle of November, resuming competition at the Grand Prix event in Copper Mountain in December.

Stay tuned for snowboard updates!