Brockhoff claims second World Cup win, becomes world leader

Belle Brockhoff has claimed her second World Cup win of the 2016/2017 season in Bankso, Bulgaria, to reclaim the number one spot on the Snowboard Cross world rankings. 
 
The 2014 Sochi Olympian returned to the top of the podium in Bankso after she secured a win in the season-opener in Montafon in December.
 
The third event of the 2016/2017 season featured a new sprint style of racing with a course length of only 20 seconds, with no turns but a straight line, which obviously posed no problem for the Aussie. 
 
"I'm feeling really happy about today, I had a few good runs, and this time there were less mistakes than I usually put in," Brockhoff said.
 
"I looked for those one percenters for my coaches, and really focused on on the day." 
 
Back to back wins in the quarter-final and semi-final races saw the 24-year-old progress to the Big Final, where she proved why she is amongst the World's best, edging out Czech snowboarder Eva Samkova and France's Chloe Trespeuch. 
 
The gold medal for Australia, sees the NSWIS rider claim the maximum 1000 points, putting her at the top of the World Cup standings.
 
"I'm really happy to now be the tour leader, it's been goal of mine for a long time and I am looking to maintain that.”
 
In the men's event, tight competition and a photo finish in the Big Final saw Alex Pullin finish in fourth place, while team mate Cameron Bolton claimed 12th.

Other Australian results included X Games Champion Jarryd Hughes in 21st, NSWIS riders Matt Thomas, 36th, Adam Dickson, 49th and Josh Milller, 53rd.
 
Pullin now sits in fifth position in the World Cup standings, ahead of Hughes in eighth and Bolton in 16th. 
 
The snowboard cross World Cup tour will take to Feldberg, Germany, next week with a double event scheduled from February 10 - 12.

Ashleigh Knight
olympics.com.au