Debutant joins Aussie halfpipe stars in Calgary

Three Australian snowboarders are lining up at the Snow Rodeo event in Calgary this week to compete for World Cup glory.

One is Scotty James. Two-time Olympic medallist, five-time X-Games champion, Crystal Globe winner. His reputation precedes him.

Another is Valentino Guseli. The teenager has gone on a tear since the Olympics, winning the Big Air Crystal Globe, five World Cup podiums and his first X-Games medal. A star on the rise.

The third is Sascha Elvy. Sixteen years old and standing on the doorstep of her World Cup debut this weekend.

And while for most Australian teenagers the halfpipe in Calgary’s Olympic Park might seem a long way from home, it is exactly the opposite for Elvy. Having moved to Canada eleven years ago with her family, Elvy trains under Josh Duncan at the venue which is just a 15 minute drive from her house.

Starting off on skis soon after arriving in Canada, Elvy tried snowboarding as a ten-year-old and was hooked.

"The first-ever comp I entered was a halfpipe comp the same year and I came second, and I have never looked back,” said Elvy. “I absolutely love riding pipe - it’s my happy place.”

With a strong series of results including a Nor-Am Cup victory to her credit last season, Elvy suffered a setback in May 2022 when she broke both wrists at a training camp which required surgery.

While she describes initially getting back in the halfpipe again as “nerve-wracking”, Elvy is looking forward to making her World Cup debut this week.

“I kind of had a feeling it was coming, but I didn’t think it would be happening this soon and I’m really happy that its happening at my home pipe,” she said. “I’m nervous, but excited.

“I can’t wait to ride with all the other athletes.”

Elvy had the opportunity to volunteer at the Big Air World Cup event in December where she came face-to-face with Guseli and has already taken the opportunity to seek him out at the event.

“I met Val at the Big Air competition in Edmonton and was riding laps with him today during training,” she said. “I have seen Scotty on the hill but haven’t actually met him yet but hopefully will over the next few days.”

Click here for the full schedule and results from the FIS Snowboard Slopestyle and Halfpipe World Cup in Calgary this week.