The Boarders

Leading snowboarders Lesley McKenna and Melanie Leando touch down in Chile today for two weeks' preparation for the next crucial World Cup Halfpipe event. This is the final World Cup event prior to the 1st November ranking list when Olympic national quotas will be decided.

The Freestylers

In the second event of the Australian Continental Cup Moguls series, the long course combined with deep bumps in soft snow posed problems for many of the 11 British mogul skiers currently training and competing down under. The 240m Wood Run at Mt. Buller has a 24 degree slope making it one of the toughest on the tour.

Joanne Bromfield (18, Salt Lake City) and Simon Bates (24, Edinburgh) were the only Brits to make the finals, their experience gained on the Europa Cup circuit last winter paying dividends in the massive bumps.

Bromfield continued in top form adding a 4th place to her 3rd and 5th from the previous event which hopefully will ensure her selection by the British Olympic Association for the Winter Olympics in February 2002. Although born in Britain, Bromfield has lived in Salt Lake for several years due to father's work. 'The Olympic course is where I train back home but to ski it in the Olympics would fulfil a dream'.

Bates is still chasing the international Olympic qualification of a top 5 at Continental Cup. After gaining 9th place in the first event at Hotham two weeks ago he came 7th at Buller. 'There are about 10 men all after a 5th place and with only fractions of a point between us the competition is intense' reported Bates. 'There are two more events in Australia plus a couple of World Cups before the deadline in January so if I maintain my progress I can still make it to Salt Lake'.

The next event is at Perisher on 1st September.

...and the Alpine Team

The Alpine Team have left the UK for a further spell in the Alps. The British Land Senior and Junior Teams will spend the next 10 days training in Saas Fee, Switzerland.

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