Adaptive SBX riders out for medals today!

Make sure to show your support for Australia's Para Snowboard riders who will be competing in the Snowboard Cross event in the IPC World Cup in PyeongChang today.

SSA athletes Joany Badenhorst, Ben Tudhope, Simon Patmore as well as developing athletes Alex Handley and Sean Pollard are trying out the olympic test event site in Korea this week, ahead of the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

Next year’s Paralympic Winter Games are set to be the biggest yet with up to 670 athletes from 45 nations competing in 80 medal events covering six sports (IPC 2017). After making its Paralympic debut at Sochi 2014, the SBX events are definitely a highlight event for para snowboard athletes.

A podium finish is expected of Joany Badenhorst, who recently won a bronze medal in the IPC SBX World Championships earlier in 2017. Simon Patmore and Ben Tudhope are also expected to finish well in this event, with the pair collecting two IPC World Cup medals and a Winter Games medal in the 2016-17 season.

Up and coming athletes Sean Pollard and Alex Handley are also aiming to show the world what they've got. After starting with SSA's Futures athlete pathway program in 2016, both boys have achieved some great top 15 results in their first competitive season on the snow.  

Following the exciting SBX events at 3pm today 10 March, the athletes will compete in the Banked Slalom.

Alexandra Rouse
Ski & Snowboard Australia