World Cup SBX 2017

27th Feb 17

Check out this photo - I was optimistic when I noticed the 11:11.

So whats been happening - since January I have been fighting various infections and the head has been crazy sore. 3 visits to US Doctors and 3 lots of antibiotics (which I hate taking, really knocks me around). Plus 7 international flights - I got back to Colorado and thought my season was over.

Splitting headaches no matter what I took or tried.  So I finally (with some firm requests from folks back home) headed for the A&E at the St Anthonys Summit Hospital Emergency in Frisco.

Super impressed with the doctors - really keen to sort through the possible problems (keeping in mind I hadn't had a crash, concussion wasn't on the list of possibilities).  Lots of worrying thoughts going through my head - until they set up the IV and I laid down to chill - I noticed the clock - 11:11 I think it's supposed to be good luck? so after a few hours they let me out. But come back if I wasn't improving in the next day or so.

The first day I felt a bit better, brought a new humidifier at 9/10,000 feet the altitude can get you sometimes. But no so back I went and I'm pleased to say that once again St Anthony's Doctors were awesome - CT Scan and some investigation showed up some severe inflammation and fluid pooling going on, but no tumours etc so I believe these Doctors have got my situation sorted.  Awesome!!

Hence I'm leaving tomorrow - for the last three World Cup/World Championship SBX events of the Northern Hemisphere. La Molina Spain and then Sierra South Spain, then Veysonnaz Switzerland. Watch this space hopefully I'll have a lot more energy - being sick for over a month - takes it out of you.

The Challenges of international sport. Watch this space.

Bansko, Bulgaria, FIS, SBX World Cup 2017

31st Jan 2017

Hi, I have arrived in Bansko, Bulgaria for the first FIS World Cup held in Europe in 2017, we flew Denver, Atlanta, Frankfurt, Sofia - always love arriving in a new place.

Didn't see much of Sofia as we drove straight out to Bansko but the only way to describe Bansko (from my point of view is like a mini Las Vegas in the snow and mountains) everyone very friendly, food awesome, really cheap compared to USA/main stream Europe, don't think I'll be speaking the language anytime soon! Very challenging, admire those that speak multiple languages.

Looking forward to checking out the sights in Sofia on the way out to next World Cup in Germany.

Staying in a sweet hotel with most of the other World Cup athletes, full field so it's going to be an interesting race.

They say this World Cup was to be a sprint race (which I haven't competed in before) but checking out the course its like a mini SBX course and they reckon times instead of .50sec - 1.10sec it could be down to 20 - 30 seconds!! As my Dad says it takes him that long to get out of the armchair! Ha. Official's discussing how to time the races down to 1000 sec's, rather than 100's. Watch this space.

Big mountain steep but narrow. Bansko in the distance. 

Montafon World Cup trip next week!

Nov 16

Can't wait to get back on snow it's been a busy month keeping up with the physical, balance and altitude training in preparation for our departure on the 26th November for four weeks in Pitzal for training and racing Europa Cups and the first World Cup of the season at Montafon.

Big season - Link to Calendar.
http://data.fis-ski.com/snowboard/calendar.html?place_search=&seasoncode_search=2017&sector_search=SB&date_search=&gender_search=m&category_search=&codex_search=&nation_search=&disciplinecode_search=SBX&date_from=today&search=Search&limit=50

Had a cool hike the other day - wasn't that long but really interesting Mt Sherman 14,036 Ft lots of history. Came across this ghost town (just like out of the old westerns) where the miners used to bring in gold, silver and lead for sale and shipping.  

I do appreciate the amazing places I get to see and the people I meet on my travels. 

Mt Harvard, Colorado, SBX Altitude Training.

26th Oct 2016

Loving my SBX life at present - no snow! but these Colorado 14'ers are really enjoyable. No 6 now - Mt Harvard was a long hike, big distance but definitely worth the effort.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Harvard

Rocky Mountains was a serious understatement, some serious big boulders.

Getting into it:-

Half way looking back at lake.

Made it!  Enjoying the view from the top with Jan - ISTC coach who has just arrived over from Czech Republic. Annabel Tudhope picture credit, Ross ISTC on mountain with us.

-
Not long now three weeks and we are finally off to Pitzal in Austria for some on snow training, followed by the first World Cup of the season at Montafon. Watch this space. 

Enjoying the last week of exploring the Wakatipu

20th Sept 2016

Countdown - my southern season is coming to an end next week and I'm off to the Northern Hemisphere for the longest season of my career.

All going well I will complete my first full World Cup Season and compete at the World Snowboard Championships in Spain at the start of March.

Going to miss exploring with this guy!! Mt Dewar, Queenstown.

Pyeongchang 2016 to Veysonnaz, Switzerland - SBX World Cups

29th Feb 16

Just arrived into Geneva overnighting until I meet up with Coach and Meaghan tomorrow morning back at airport before drive to Veysonnaz for next World Cup.

Had a terrific week at Pyeongchang - the course was the biggest I've ever seen - so I expected a few bruises but I at least walked away in relatively one piece unlike a number of others.  Knee and side sore but only skin damage!

The South Koreans were really nice and very helpful. Found my watch after it was lost during my heat - stoked.

A couple of shots of the around the area.  The specialty luggage buses were efficient. Big flame structure.

Trying to get out in a snow storm at Incheon International Airport - 1 hour delay, winter travel!

Pyeongchang South Korea, Olympic Test Event,

22nd Feb 2016

Apologies for the delay since my last post - have been working hard on technique, with some new boards, hopefully it will all come together soon.

I arrived into South Korea yesterday, really well sorted airport at Incheon International Airport - had an awesome night at the Hotel and now we are on a really nice bus (full wifi on board) heading to the Olympic Test Venue in Pyeongchang province.

As they are testing all their systems - all our boards and luggage is being taken to athlete village via other vehicles.

Took this quick shot from the bus - up is definitely the go over here - saving land.

With Senna Leith ISTC USA team mate. Enjoy the day where ever you are.

Montafon SBX World Cup Austria, Market Day

15th Dec 15

Last day in Austria - it's been a great trip with lots of training and racing - back to USA for more training and then on to the next races planned.

Have a Great Holiday Season - where ever you are in the World.

Cortina SBX World Cup Cancelled

6th Dec 15

So disappointed - just heard that the Cortina Night Race World Cup has been cancelled due to lack of snow. I was really looking forward to it, but that's how things go.

Montafon is still this on this coming week - but I believe the snow is soft.  So time to reorganise flights back to Denver earlier.

Community Trust of Southland - Sports Scholarships

6th Apr 2015

Super stoked to find out I have been successful in receiving a Sports Scholarship from the Community Trust of Southland - which will help cover my costs of competing at my first World Cups in Switzerland and Spain.

It is terrific that the Trust helps so many local athletes - to achieve International experience and success. Link through and find out how the Trust helps lots of different groups and athletes throughout the region.

Thanks very much for your continued support, greatly appreciated. Duncan.

USA, Canada, Austria, Switzerland, Spain - Season Finished - Homeward Bound.

4th Apr 15

Can't believe it, the season has finished. Have had an amazing season - obviously my World Cup start 10th and overall World Cup ranking of 24th are my highlights.

The last few races were challenging as it's an adjustment getting back onto the smaller modified courses. I think I like the big ones! If I'm honest I have to say my legs were starting to feel it after all the competing and travelling.

I have learnt heaps this season - lots more to learn - thanks Ross and Jan ISTC.

On route from Vancouver to Denver - then pack up and it's back to DIA in Denver and homeward bound.  First time I've flown out of Vancouver for USA.

The training won't stop - will be hitting the gym big time during the off season - it makes a big difference to on snow training.

Usually when I get home - I'm at a loss really - all go for so long and then - flat.

So this season I've decided to keep going - so I'm doing my Foundation Rescue Divers course in Dunedin for a month.  Have completed all the E Online Courses while travelling and now I can hit the ocean for the practical. I sat my Open Water a couple of years ago and it has been great being able to dive with mates, so I'm really looking forward to learning more and keeping up with the industry.

I found this shot, which pretty much sums up this season - lots of new experiences! 

Especially - looking down my first World Cup course in Veysonnaz, Switzerland! 

- Getting some Deep Breaths in - thanks for the advice back at the start Rachel Newton. 

Thanks for photo:- adamjohnstonphotograhy.com

La Molina World Cup 2015

21st Mar 2015

Time trial didn't go as I hoped - felt like I was going super fast on 1st run but unfortunately, miscalculated a jump and knuckled - wasn't able to regain my speed. By the time I got to do a second qualification run the course had slowed down heaps.  So pretty disappointed I didn't manage to qualify at La Molina, as it was 4 man racing, only top 32 go through.  If it had been 6 man racing I would have been ok. But know what I need to do next time.

Racing was really exciting as Alex Chumpy Pullin was trying to take out another overall World Cup title, but needed to win the event. He just missed out in third, but great days racing given the deteriorating conditions. Congrats to Chris Robanske, Canada on the days win and Lucas Eguibar Spain on overall title.

Stoked to find out - I'd finished 24th in the overall World Cup Rankings for 2015.

http://data.fis-ski.com/pdf/2015/SB/7293/7293WCS.pdf

Can't wait for next World Cup series - the word is - it's hoped there will be possibly 10 races next season (snow permitting) Awesome!

 Ross Hindman ISTC Coaching Director - dedicated!!

You have to love winter!!

World Cup Veysonnaz

19th Mar 2015

A big thanks to FIS Ski and AdamJohnsonPhotography.com for supplying a few great shots - one of which ended up in a great write up.

Now in La Molina, Spain for 3rd World Cup - it's going to be harder as it is only 4 man racing so only 32 out of 60+ qualify. Will give it my best shot. Really loving Spain - people are really great, food and scenery awesome.

Great racing with Stian Sivertzen, Norway 1st (congrats on the reality show win) myself 4th place and Omar Visintin, Italy 2nd Semi Finals 14th March 2015.

Veysonnaz World Cup 2015 Results

14th Mar 15

Wow - can't really believe it!  Better than I had hoped and believe me I had hoped. Ha!

10th place in my first World Cup. Amazing day racing best of my career - so far!!

Photo thanks to AdamJohnston Photography. 

Big thanks to Ross Hindman ISTC director who has been doing the awesome wax and preparation work for the whole team. Thanks - you were right - put in the hard work and it will pay off.

The World Cup environment has been terrific everyone - other athletes have been really welcoming and helpful. It's been awesome couple of days - best!! But back to business tomorrow.  Wow.

61 men - 30 Olympians, 25 Multi World Cups, 6 newbies (me) - just goes to show anything can happen in Snowboard Cross Racing.

World Cup Veysonnaz, Switzerland 2015

12th Mar 15

Wow, can't believe I'm here, (Veysonnaz, Switzerland - home of World Cups SBX) great location, staying in a hotel a few feet from the bottom of the gondola.  Had a really fun trip over from USA - managed to get a little extra leg room and was sitting with a lot of the USA team and coach.

Goal to get more Air New Zealand Status points so that I don't have to pay soo much for excess luggage on Star Alliance flights - one day - working on it.

The great thing is I've got a room to myself (2 bunks & a bathroom) as I'm the only Kiwi here, rules of FIS World Cups. So super stoked. Over the years I've slept in a broom cupboard, many sofas, floors and 3/4 to a room ++ on the competition circuit - its just how it is.

Found this video from last season - to show you all what it's like racing here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maeU3NeU6C4

Here's to a fun few days racing and meeting all those people I have watched and looked up to over the years.  Crazy now I'm up on the hill with them, really nice group of people.

http://www.veysonnaz.ch/file/plan_4V_BR(1).pdf

A bit of a write up on the local mountain site.

Snowboardcross - The most spectacular snowboardart

The best snowboraders in the world,  will fight on a worldcupclass slope. A real pleasure for the eyes ! Come with your friends to admire them going  6 per 6 on this incredible slope !

SBX World Cups - Switzerland and Spain

25th February 2015

Awesome - it is confirmed, tickets booked - I'm off to my first World Cups of my career, as mentioned Squaw Valley was cancelled due to the lack of snow so plans have changed quite a lot.

First stop is Veysonnaz Switzerland - then La Molina Spain - then back to the Canadian Nationals.
March and the start of April are going to be very busy and exciting.  I haven't been to either of these places before which is always pretty great checking out new spots. Watch this space.  Training has been ramped up - extra hard for the next two weeks - leave 9th March.