Supporting Snow Australia’s inaugural FIS JNR SBX Series “important work” for the Chumpy Pullin Foundation

The inaugural FIS Junior Snowboard Cross series was one of the highlights of the 2022 Australian winter season, hailed as an outstanding success by the Australian snow community.

With four stops across Thredbo, Mt Buller, Hotham and Perisher, the first ever full JNR SBX tour in Australia provided an ideal development opportunity for the next generation of snowboard cross athletes,  giving young and upcoming talents a chance to ride together, learn from each other and challenge themselves.

Credit for the success of the series goes to the resorts, the event organisers and their race clubs, alongside parents, athletes and volunteers. But the tour would simply not have happened without the support of the Chumpy Pullin Foundation, the organisation launched in 2022 to honour the memory of two-time snowboard cross World Champion and Olympian Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin.

An inspiring figure in Australian sport, Chumpy was loved, among other things, for his continuous and generous support of emerging snow sports athletes. The Foundation in his name now endeavours to continue his work, collaborating with organisations like Snow Australia to create pathway opportunities and financial assistance for developing athletes.

“Connecting with Snow Australia on this series was a critical step in supporting youth and pathway development, particularly in Boardercross and Chumpy’s sports,” confirmed Ben Rennie, one of the Foundation’s Board members.

Rennie added that an event such as the FIS JNR SBX Series is a breeding ground for young athletes to experience snowsports in an organised, professional and well-managed environment.

“For the Chumpy Pullin Foundation to play a role in facilitating this kind of experience, that feels like important work,” said Rennie.

Building on his sporting talent, Pullin strongly believed that anyone could achieve their goals through hard work, determination and teamwork. Snow Australia and the Chumpy Pullin Foundation saw in this new SBX series an opportunity to develop Chumpy’s vision and further his legacy in the sport.

“When we set up the Foundation, we wanted to apply a full-circle approach to youth development through sports, from grassroots pathways to high performance,” Rennie continued.

“This includes a strong focus on education, mental health and pathway support—even diving into life after sport. This partnership with Snow Australia makes this real, and it gives us a collaboration with our sports governing body to find opportunities in the shadows for anyone with a dream.”

As the Chumpy Pullin Foundation evolves, so will its partnership with Snow Australia. With the FIS JNR SBX Series already set to return bigger and better on Australian slopes next year, the Foundation will continue to focus on supporting initiatives around youth development, community, mental health and education.

“Our recent Indigenous snow camp identified some amazing young talents, and the Foundation will continue to help lead these young athletes into potential scholarships and programs with Snow Australia, along with our ongoing scholarship programs with the local Australian resorts,” concluded Rennie.

All great opportunities for Australia’s winter sport community to come together and honour the legend of the beloved three-time Olympian, ensuring Chumpy’s legacy is passed on for generations of young athletes to come.

Read more about the work of the Chumpy Pullin Foundation and donate to support their initiatives at this link.