The final stage of the journey to Vancouver 2010 has begun in earnest for our winter sports athletes, with Australians focused on meeting the qualifying criteria for the Games over the next four months.

The 2009/2010 Snowboard World Cup kicked off in the New Zealand resort of Cardrona at the end of August, with Nate Johnstone finishing in 18th place.

Two weeks later, Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin rode to an excellent fifth place in the opening Snowboard Cross event in Chapelco, Argentina, with OWI/AIS team-mate Damon Hayler also making the top ten in tenth position.

And last weekend, Joh Shaw kicked off her Olympic campaign with fourth in PSL in Landgraaf, The Netherlands (see story in this update).

The first week in November will see the next round of key events, with Short Track Speed Skating, Speed Skating, Skeleton and Bobsleigh competition all getting underway.

Next week we will bring you a preview of the sports and the athletes we will be following in the lead-up to the Games.

Click here to view the Australian Winter Sports - 09/10 International Calendar.