Tudhope and Billingham take podiums and a slice of history in Germany

An incredible week of Snowboard and Para Snowboard racing in Grasgehren, Germany saw Ben Tudhope pick up two silver medals at the World Cup, Maya Billingham achieved her career-best result with a silver medal in the Europa Cup and the pair combined to compete in a historic FIS event.
 
Tudhope started the week off with an impressive silver medal. After surviving an action-packed Big Final at the Para Snowboard World Cup, the snowboard cross star was back in action the next day to secure his second silver medal in as many days.
 
Up and coming Billingham made headlines by securing a career-best result and a silver medal in the snowboard cross Europa Cup event. Swiss 16-year-old Noemie Wiedmer took home the gold medal.
 
With both events taking place at the same location, the opportunity presented itself to include an Inclusive
Mixed Team Snowboard Cross event for the first time in FIS history. 
 
The event required one Para and one non-Para athlete in each team, with no more than one athlete per gender. Tudhope and Billingham went on to finish fourth in the history-making event.

Tudhope said taking part in the mixed event was an honour and an important step towards inclusivity.

“What truly made this experience unforgettable was the groundbreaking inaugural inclusive team event, where I had the honour of competing alongside Maya Billingham,” he said.

“Together, we showcased the power of unity in sport, leaving an indelible mark on the history of snowboarding and paving the way for a more inclusive future in Paralympic/able-bodied sport.”