The event that many Australians have been waiting for, the men’s snowboard cross, has finally arrived in Sochi, and we’ll be live blogging it here on The Roar from 5:15pm AEDT.
After a day-long delay due to heavy fog, Australia’s flag bearer for the 2014 Winter Olympics, Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin, will be riding for gold in the event in which he was crowned world champion in 2013.
There has been no shortage of controversy heading into the event, with Pullin awarded the honour of carrying the flag ahead of Vancouver gold medallists Lydia Lassila and Torah Bright, but tonight it will only be about who gets to the bottom of the course first.
Will Australia’s faith in one of our best chances for a gold be unfounded? Or will Chumpy pull through?
He’s certainly got the pedigree to win here. While the darling of the snow Torah Bright fell short in this event, Pullin is a boardercross specialist. He had a dominant 2012/13 season, tallying four podiums from seven finals appearance to take the world championship and the overall world cup titles.
And unlike many of the other competitors, Pullin hasn’t concerned himself with complaining about the conditions of the Sochi boardercross course. Chumpy was comparatively glowing in his assessment of the conditions he was about to face:
“It’s a good course for the Olympics. I’m excited to race it. Everyone’s going to have a good chance at it. What will be most important is getting to the first turn first.”
He was also excited about the length of the course, and said that even in the cut throat environment of
“If I can get into turn one and lead, I shouldn’t have too many troubles. Get behind, there are definitely passing opportunities.”
Join The Roar for all the updates from Sochi from 5:15pm AEDT as Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin looks to win Australia’s first gold for the 2014 Winter Games.
Mac
Guest
what a CHOKE. There no point making excuses for poor weather, conditions etc. . You raced on the same course as the medlaist. Channel 10 should just shut up and stop predicting who will get a gold medal because every time boldly state on getting a gold medal always end up crashing out
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
And still no biathlon live on either 10 or One but short track on both channels. mind blowing. :(
a
Guest
Why did we waste so much money on this loser.
Ryan Willmott
Roar Guru
Thanks for tuning in. Better luck next time in South Korea
Ryan Willmott
Roar Guru
Vaultier From France takes Gold Olyunin from Russia takes Silver Deibold from USA takes Bronze
Ryan Willmott
Roar Guru
Final in the gates
Ryan Willmott
Roar Guru
Bolton got clipped mid air and hit the deck face first. Was unable to finish the race. Let's hope he is okay. Final result for Cam Bolton is 5th in consolation final and 11th overall.
MichaelJ.
Guest
Choker Pullin?
Ryan Willmott
Roar Guru
Bolton was running in third til he crashed. Fog has moved in again. Conditions not ideal.
Ryan Willmott
Roar Guru
Cam Bolton getting his wrist taped up before the consolation final. Injury from the last race.
Ryan Willmott
Roar Guru
Chumpy says change in weather conditions really changed how the course rides. Today is foggy and wet so the course is a lot stickier, slower and soggy.
Ryan Willmott
Roar Guru
Thanks Patrick. Consolation final up next featuring Cam Bolton then followed by the final. Unfortunately no Australians in the final
Patrick Effeney
Editor
I'll hand over to the Roar's snowboarding master, Ryan Willmott, for the finals.
Ryan Willmott
Roar Guru
Cam Bolton taken out while in second place in the semi final He will race again in the consolation final for a place between 7 & 12
Existentialist
Guest
Shame! thanks Patrick
Patrick Effeney
Editor
That's it, Bolton out in unfortunate circumstances Bolton again enjoys a wonderful start, and moves with Vicintin into a strong lead. As they jostle for first spot they come into contact multiple times. It had to happen! Bolton falls. It was always going to happen. But everyone else falls over too, and unfortunately Bolton isn't the one to get up quickly and get to the finish.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Cam Bolton up in the second semi now.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
In a hilarious finish, Deibold is going into the final as a function of falling on his back as opposed to his front. It was neck and neck between the two Americans, and they both fell after the final ramp.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
First semi up now. Machine gun quick. Nikolay Olyunin again charges to the front, and no one is going to catch him from there. He wins, easily. Some drama for those trying though, as Hill and Eguibar crash spectacularly, and the young Spaniard, who was fancied to go all the way, is out too. Sivertzen does a Bradbury and cruises into the final, and there's a photo for third.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Bolton, the smokey, takes the final heat. Well done that man! Australia's last hope, Cameron Bolton, was in a really tough battle. He got a good start, along with every other competitor it seems. It was super tight the whole way down before finally, at the head of the race, third and second place crash and Cam Bolton streaks away to take the final quarter! Great racing sense sees the Aussie stay out of trouble and get to the semis. Fantastic stuff!