Arthur and Callister wave Aussie flag at Mammoth Grand Prix

Courtesy: www.olympics.com.au 

In a sea of star spangled banners, Emily Arthur and Kent Callister proudly waved the Aussie flag at the Snowboard Halfpipe Mammoth Grand Prix on the weekend.

The Grand Prix was not a FIS sanctioned event, therefore did not contribute to ranking points for next month’s Olympic Games, however it was the final US Olympic Team snowboard halfpipe selection event meaning tension was high and every US athlete brought their A-Game.

Rather than travel to Switzerland for the Laax World Cup, 18-year-old Arthur opted to stay in the States and compete on her home mountain at Mammoth as the only non-American athlete in the women’s event.

After qualifying seventh in the first heat with a best run of 59.75, Arthur put down her best score of 63.00 in the second run of the finals to finish in sixth place.

Currently ranked 13th in the world standings, the 2016 Youth Olympic Games silver medallist was “stoked” with her performance and said she loved competing with her American friends who she spends a lot of time with on the halfpipe circuit.

“It was my first ever night event and I’m glad I could go out there and put it down,” Arthur said.

“It was actually really nice having all the Americans there, I’ve become such good friends with them all that it kind of feels like home.

“The crowd were loving it either way, it was a great night for snowboarding that’s for sure!”

With the event being so crucial for the US snowboarders, Arthur said the atmosphere was tense, but she was fortunate she could enjoy riding the pipe without it impacting her own Olympic campaign.

“Yeah there was some intensity up there, but my coach and I were keeping the mentality that we were there to have fun and enjoy the night, which I certainly did, so all in all it was a success.”

Sochi Olympian Callister was in a very similar position as one of two non-American riders in the men’s field. He qualified eighth in the first heat with a best score of 68.75.

He put his best run down first in the finals, recording a top score of 62.50 to finish in sixth place over all.

"I was pleased with my performance the other night," Callister said. "I know I could have done better but sometimes you just have to accept the fact that it's not always going to go your way. But I was happy with 6th, I landed a run and had fun! So that's all that matters."

Like Arthur, he was happy to wave the Aussie flag and catch up with his competitors from the States.

"I did feel like the odd one out being the only Aussie in the contest but I'm friends with a lot of the U.S team members so I still had a good time.

"I think that was a good last event for me before PyeonChang. I landed a few runs and had a lot of fun snowboarding. I'm feeling very comfortable riding the Halfpipe right now."

See full results for the Mammoth Grand Prix HERE.

The Mammoth Grand Prix was the final competition for Arthur and Callister before the Australian Team is announced for next month’s Winter Olympics. Arthur is looking to be selected for her debut Olympic Games, while Callister is looking for his second Olympic Games experience to better his ninth place finish at Sochi.

Georgia Thompson
olympics.com.au