WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS Nate and Chumpy Claim the Crystal Globe Trophies

March 29th, 2011

Nate Johnstone with the large crystal globe trophy for overall freestyle snowboarding World Cup Champion. Image:: Courtesy Nate Johnstone/FIS

Words | Alex Cameron with Tess Cook

On Friday 25 March Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin secured Australia’s first ever snowboarding World Cup title, in snowboardcross, by winning the last race of the World Cup season in Arosa, Switzerland. Just one day later fellow Australian Nathan Johnstone claimed the World Cup title in halfpipe and the coveted overall freestyle snowboarding World Cup title.

In the space of 48 hours the two male riders and female team mate Holly Crawford – who finished overall second in the women’s halfpipe World Cup standings – affirmed what had been becoming increasingly apparent through the 2010-2011 World Cup season, Australia is a dominant force in snowboarding.

The double Australian victory mirrors results at the FIS World Championships in La Molina, Spain in January where Nate, Chumpy and Holly were all crowned World Champions.

Nate with his small globe trophy for halfpipe World Cup Champion. Image:: Courtesy Nate Johnstone/FIS

twenty one year old Nate, from Mona Vale on Sydney’s Northern Beaches finished in fifth place in the final event, but his impressive performances in earlier meets secured him both the small crystal globe trophy for World Champion in a single discipline and the large crystal globe for the overall freestyle snowboarding World Cup title. The 2011 LG FIS Halfpipe World Tour season included stops in Spain (La Molina), China (Yabuli), Canada (Calgary, Stoneham), Italy (Bardonecchia) as well as Switzerland. Nate’s incredible season included three first places and a second out of six events.

Nate’s victory is the product of his committed training regime and focused approach to the FIS Halfpipe season. Over the past few years, Nate has transformed from a naturally talented grommet to a seriously polished rider considered a threat at Halfpipe contests by the best snowboarders in the world. He has fully engaged with the rapid progression of the sport, learning the new double-corks required to be competitive at the highest level. At such a young age, Nate has a very bright future ahead.

Chumpy Pullin with girlfriend and World Cup runner up Alexandra Jekova (Bulgaria). Image:: Courtesy Chumpy Pullin/FIS

Chumpy, 23, snatched the World Cup title at the last minute. Going into the final race of the season the Mansfield, Victoria, native was 600 points off the top spot but a crash by series leader Pierre Vaultier in the semi finals and Chumpy’s own first place finish in that final race secured him the overall title with a margin of just 60 points.