Lambert wins Europa Cup Snowboard Cross title

Image: Adam Lambert takes overall first position in the Europa Cup

Junior NSWIS Snowboard Cross rider, Adam Lambert, 19, has won the men’s overall Europa Cup title following a brilliant debut World Cup and World Championship season this year.

Lambert is the first Australian to win a Europa Cup title, which is an amazing achievement for someone so young.

Starting out the northern winter season in the Europa Cup series in Austria, France and Germany, Lambert was impressive winning three out of five Europa Cup events early on, giving him the opportunity to start in his very first World Cup taking on the world’s best riders including Aussie big guns dual World Champion Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin and Winter X Games gold medallist Jarryd Hughes.

Seemingly to come from nowhere, Lambert achieved a tremendous debut result finishing seventh at the World Cup in Feldberg, Germany, earning him another start in the World Cup in La-Molina, Spain where he continued his brilliant form achieving sixth place and selection to join the 2017 Snowboard World Championships Team.

“It’s been an incredible season for me.”  Lambert said of his career so far. “World Championships weren't even on my radar, and I never would have imagined that at my first World Championships I would manage to make it into the big finals. It was an indescribable experience. I was really lucky to begin with two wins in Val Thorens, France, which gave me a lot of confidence going into the races in Germany where I got another first place. Three victories in a row really gave me plenty of momentum going into my first World Cup race in Feldberg Germany.” He said.

The status of the World Championships is second only to the Olympic Games and are held every two years. Bringing together the World’s best riders to fight it out for the honour of being named World Champion. 
World Championships are held every second year with this year’s held in Sierra Nevada, Spain where Lambert finished an outstanding sixth against an elite field in which Pullin took third place.

“Adam has had great support from the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia’s (OWIA) Snowboard Cross Head Coaches Ben Wordsworth and Harald Benselin, as well as team riders Alex Pullin, Cameron Bolton, Belle brockhoff and Jarryd Hughes.” Lambert’s coach Jason Clauscen said in praise of their influence.

To finish off the World Championships, Pullin and Lambert teamed up for the Snowboard Cross team event in which the duo came ninth.

“It was a really good opportunity for Adam to race another heat, he’s in good form.” Pullin told OWIA of Lambert.

Currently sitting in 18th position in the world with overall FIS points, Lambert has had the ideal debut season on the World Cup and World Championship circuit, but he’s not done yet. He has one World Cup event in Veysonnaz in Switzerland this weekend before he can head home, back to Jindabyne at the end of the month.

“It's been a dream season but there’s still some work left.” Clauscen said.

Lambert’s parents, Shayne and Cathy Lambert, were ecstatic about their son’s season.

“It’s great to see the rewards of years of training on and off snow for him and his coaches.  We’re extremely proud of his achievements this season!” They said.

The men’s qualifying for the final SBX World Cup gets underway tonight at 8.45pm 24 March with the finals on Saturday night from 11.30pm.

Alexandra Rouse
Ski & Snowboard Australia