OWIA SBX Season Summary: Harald Benselin

We experienced a second competition season juggling the effects of the global pandemic as well as facing the pressure of heading into an Olympic season. With this in mind, the SBX discipline has received amazing support from our lead organisations. We were able to train on a high level SBX track built and supported by Snow Australia, OWIA and Mt Hotham resort. A big thank you to all for the massive support that the Snowboardcross discipline received during the 2021 Domestic Season.

All our eyes and energy were focused on the Olympic Winter Games. Unfortunately, the Olympic campaign 2022 did not result in a medal this time. The Australian Team was made up of 2 Women (Belle Brockhoff and Josie Baff) and 4 Men (Cam Bolton, Adam Lambert, Adam Dickson and Jarryd Hughes) and for the first time Australia represented with two SBX Mixed Teams. Our best result at the Games came from a commendable effort by Belle Brockhoff, finishing 4th. 

We had a successful World cup season with most of the OWIA contracted athletes finishing the season in the Top 16 Overall World Ranking. The top placed Australian athletes were Belle Brockhoff finishing 4th and Cam Bolton 7th. 

Despite the pandemic, OWIA and NSWIS teams were also able to provide opportunities for young athletes to debut at a World Cup level.

A new challenge is about to commence with the vision for the 2026 and 2030 Winter Olympic Games and the integration of existing athletes with the next generation.

Harald Benselin
OWIA SBX Head Coach