Scotty James and Jakara Anthony Win World Cup Gold on a Big Weekend for Australian Athletes
Mountainwatch | Events
Australian snowsports athletes enjoyed a successful weekend in World Cup competition with Scotty James winning Saturday’s snowboard halfpipe in Copper Mountain while Jakara Anthony, won gold in the individual moguls in Alpe d’Huez in France on Saturday. Jakara also won bronze in the dual moguls yesterday.
Jakara has dominated the World Cup moguls this year, the Olympic champ winning three individual events in a row and is on top of the rankings heading into the Christmas break.
For James it was a huge return to competition and he dominated the Copper halfpipe, scoring 97 on his first run then a near-perfect 99.00 on his second. In the post final interview, Scotty said it was not only the highest score he’s ever received but it was also, “one of the more satisfying runs I’ve ever done in my life…”
Valentino Guseli qualified for the final, finishing in 7thplace. Valentino who won the Big Air World Cup in Edmonton last week also competed in the Big Air event at Copper, but missed out on the finals, placing 11thoverall.
Josie Baff, snowboard cross, took second place in Cervina Italy, her second podium of the season after she won gold in France two weeks ago. There were back to back events in Cervinia, Josie finishing 10thin the first one after bowing put in the quarter finals.
Team mate Belle Brockhoff qualified fastest in the first event, riding very well to make it to the final, but a crashed after another competitor clipped her board, to finish in fourth place. As a precaution Belle withdrew from the second race but she will be back competing when the World Cup resumes in January.
Australian athletes have now won ten medals this month to make it the most successful start to a northern winter, with five individual athletes in separate disciplines recording World Cup wins.
