Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin wins World Championship bronze
Published Mon 13 Mar 2017
Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin won Australia’s fifth medal of the 2017 FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships, claiming bronze in the final of the men’s Snowboard Cross.
The two-time world champion (2011 & 2013) used tactics to advance to the big final, admitting the track did not play to his strengths.
“I knew the track here was going to be a little challenging racing wise, it was a pretty narrow race line and six-man heats was always going to prove to have some action,” Pullin said.
“I put some tactics in play early-on just to move through the rounds and that seemed to work well so I stuck to that,” he said.
The six-man final saw Pullin go head-to-head with two of his main rivals and the eventual gold and silver medallists, France’s Pierre Vaultier and Spain’s Lucas Eguibar.
“It was the final that I wanted,” Pullin said.
“Both of those riders are goofy stance and they were really quick in turn two so I knew that was going to be the challenge for me. I had really good speed on the rest of the course but passing opportunities weren’t as great lower down, so I found myself gaining and then losing the opportunity to turn that into a pass.
“But I don’t have any regrets and that’s the one thing in this sport I’m happy to walk away with. “
Reflecting on his season and looking ahead to the Olympic year, Pullin admits to being in a good place both physically and mentally.
“Feeling positive about the way my body is (and) about how my mentality is with my racing. It’s pretty intimidating in races like today, six man heats and a fair few crashes going on and I’m still able to come here and fully commit and not hold back.”
“I’m working to expand my abilities in all conditions so when you do rock up to any course you can come away with a top three and that’s where I’m very happy about today,” he said.
Australia’s 19 year old super rookie of the season Adam Lambert, was in only his fourth top level event yet finished sixth overall after he also advanced to the big final. Lambert was superb in each of his first three rounds, racing with confidence to finish first each time.
There was disappointment for Sochi Olympians Cam Bolton and Jarryd Hughes who did not progress from the round of 48 after suffering falls early in their heat.
Australia’s medal haul at the 2017 FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships includes two gold (Britt Cox – Moguls; Scotty James – Halfpipe) a silver (Danielle Scott – Aerials) and a bronze (David Morris – Aerials). It equals Australia’s best ever Ski and Snowboard World Championship performance.
The second week of competition includes ski-cross, ski-slopestyle and snowboard big air events.
Article Courtesy www.owia.org
Alex Pullin standing on the World Championship Podium for the 3rd time in his career