Hotham to host Australia’s best riders in FIS Easy Mac SBX Continental Cup

It’s all happening at Hotham this weekend when some of Australia’s best riders compete against tough competition from NZ and Japan in the FIS Easy Mac SBX (boarder cross) Continental Cup.

This event is the only SBX Continental Cup in Australia and is recognised by FIS as an official Boarder Cross (SBX) event. Participants race down a no-holds barred obstacle course of banks, berms, chutes and jumps. The course also features Olympic spec start gates, world cup standard features and is built to a national level for world cup training purposes.

The Australian National SBX team and OWIA (Olympic Winter Institute of Australia) Team have been training for the past three weeks on Hotham’s purpose built course in their quest for success at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Ranked #5 in the world for skiercross, athlete Jenny Owens has been in training on the course along with Alex Pullen (#11 in the world for SBX) and teammate Damon Hayler (#12 world ranking). Alex and Damon will compete in this weekend’s events.

The FIS Easy Mac SBX Continental Games is open to all ages, juniors and grommets included, and has a pro category for FIS registered competitors. Amateurs will compete in a separate category (must apply to SSA or own countries governing body prior to race).

On the Sunday, the event also becomes part of the World Industries Australian Snowboard Championships series. This SBX event will go towards points for the overall title and a prize pool of $3000.

When:  Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 August

Where:   Hotham Alpine Resort

Road Runner chairlift – 8am-1pm on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 August

Spectators welcome – view from Sun Run and on Hull Bridge