NZSnowboard.com - The home of New Zealand Snowboarding

27th January 2009

Gangwon, Korea - The New Zealand Snowboard Team have completed their pinnacle event of the 2008/2009 Northern Hemisphere campaign: The FIS Snowboard World Championships in Gangwon, Korea, with James Hamilton and Kendall Brown achieving the best results in Halfpipe for New Zealand.

James Hamilton competing at the FIS Snowboard World Championships, Korea

Hamilton, 18, Auckland, finished in 16th position in the Mens, while Brown, 19, Mt Maunganui, placed 11th in the Womens, narrowly missing the cut for semi finals.

Hamilton, who trains with the NZ Winter Performance Programme (WPP) was in top form in training went into the first round of qualifying with force, posting a score of 40.1, the seventh highest score of the day.  With the top six going directly to the finals, Hamilton was the highest ranked rider to proceed into semi finals.  A hand-drag doing a frontside 900 on his fourth hit to the Halfpipe cost him the opportunity to make the 12-man final and he finished in 16th position.
Pleased with the level of his riding, Hamilton has proved he is good enough to mix it with the worlds best going into the next series of World Cup events including the Olympic test event in February, the Cypress World Cup.

I'm confident going into the next leg of the World Cup tour as I know my riding is up there with other top riders, said Hamilton.

Kendall Brown competing at the FIS Snowboard World Championships, Korea

Displaying good amplitude and execution, Brown peaked in her second run starting with an impressive backside 540 and finishing with a clean air-to-fakie to score 34.3 points and secure 11th.

Team mates Juliane Bray of Wanaka, finished 21st, Rebecca Sinclair of Taupo, 28th, and Paula Mitchell of Christchurch placed 29th.

Hamilton and Bray are members of the NZ Snowboard Union (NZSBU) National Snowboard Team while Brown, Sinclair and Mitchell are members of the NZSBU development Squad. Hamilton, Bray and Sinclair train with the New Zealand Winter Performance Programme under head Coach Tom Willmott.

All four Kiwi women currently sit in the top 30 of the World Ranking List which is a requirement to meet the selection criteria for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

The team now has one week break before traveling to the site of the 2006 Olympics for the next World Cup in Bardonecchia, Italy.

For more information:  www.fissnowboardworldcup.com






LINKS:
www.fissnowboardworldcup.com
www.snowsports.co.nz
www.nzsbu.co.nz
www.asi.org.nz

The Winter Performance Programme (WPP) athletes are selected to be developed by Academy South Island through its Winter Performance programme, which supports elite athletes in several winter sports capable of success on the world stage. It co-ordinates and provides coaching, sports science, medical and performance support, with medals at the Winter Olympics the upcoming focus. www.asi.org.nz

The New Zealand Snowboard Union (NZSBU) is a member of Snow Sport New Zealand. Snow Sports New Zealand is the official governing body and National Sports Organisation representing all snow sports in New Zealand. www.snowsports.co.nz or www.nzsbu.co.nz





Media contact:
Kristy Quin
Snow Sports New Zealand
Ph:   +64 3 443 4085 ext. 3
kristy@snowsports.co.nz