World Championship quarter-final for Pullin and Lambert
Published Sun 03 Feb 2019
NSWIS riders Alex “Chumpy” Pullin and Adam Lambert have just fallen short of reaching the semi-final round at the 2019 FIS Snowboard World Championships, after both finished third in their quarter-final heats at Solitude Mountain, UT, USA.
On a tight track, both riders faced difficult heats, and were unable to pass back into the top two required to advance before the finish line.
The result sees Pullin finishing with a final ranking of 9th, with Lambert in 11th.
After the event, Pullin commented.
“My day was going well until I was run wide in turn one into the fence."
“A real shame as I was feeling so good and having fun, but this is racing sometimes.”
“I’m as hungry as hell to get back to the World Cups now, Germany here we come.”
Also in action in finals for Australia was Cameron Bolton, who was unable to progress past the round of 32, finishing third in his heat, giving him a final placing of 21st.
Dual Olympian Cam Bolton said of his own performance.
“Well, I had a disappointing day at World Champs and finished in 21st. We have three more World Cups this season and I’m certainly looking for some redemption, next stop, Germany.”
Olympic Silver Medallist Jarryd Hughes unfortunately did not make it through to the 32-man finals, after finishing in 35th place during the qualifying stage.
A disappointed Hughes commented after the race.
“Well that was not the way I wanted my World Champs to go, out in qualifying!”
“I can’t describe how gutted I am, but that’s the way sport goes sometimes.”
I’m going to gather my thoughts and I’ll be cheering from the bottom of the track because it’s going to be an amazing race, but I’ll be back stronger than ever!”
The Snowboard Cross team will now head to Feldberg, Germany, for the next round of the World Cup tour on February 8-10.
IMAGE - Alex "Chumpy" Pullin in action during Qualifying at Solitude Mountain © OWIA/ Lachy Keevers