Another Winter X Games Podium for Jossi Wells

For Immediate Release

Another Winter X Games Podium for Jossi Wells

Aspen, Colorado (29 January 2012) –Jossi Wells wraps up the 2012 Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado with a bronze in Ski Big Air, becoming a three-time medallist at the world’s most prestigious winter snow sports competition.

It was a big week for Wells, as one of only two freeskiers competing in all three disciplines at the X-Games: Slopestyle, Halfpipe and Big Air. Things did not quite go to plan in the Slopestyle, and despite excellent amplitude and execution in the Halfpipe and the biggest, styliest last-hit switch 720 of his life, Wells missed the finals by a whisker.

Jossi was building momentum throughout the week and saved his best to last, fired up going into the Big Air night finals. In the 15-minute jam session, with the two best scores combining for an overall score out of 100, Jossi focussed on having a good time and performing to the best of his ability landing a doublecork 1260 and a switch doublecork 1440, to post a combined score of 83 points. Wells was in it to win it, and in the closing minutes of the session attempted two 1620’s to push for the lead, got close, but was unable to nail the landings, securing third place behind Bobby Brown (first) of the US with 88 points and Kai Mahler (second) of Switzerland scoring 84 points. Wells impressed the judges with his control in the air, the amplitude he gained over the 110 foot jump, and his trademark smooth landings.

“I couldn’t be more stoked with my skiing tonight, and I’m so happy to be back on the X-Games podium,” said an elated Wells. “Thanks to my Dad/Coach Bruce – he’s a legend, and our physio Sally for keeping me in one piece this week!”

New Zealand boasted its biggest team to date at the prestigious Winter X-Games with Carl Murphy placing fourth in the Adaptive Snowboard-X, rookie Rose Battersby placing ninth in Freeski Slopestyle and Rebecca Torr placing 10th in Snowboard Slopestyle.

After falling at the top of the course and then finishing fourth in the head to head six person straight final Murphy was in high spirits.

"It was a great experience to ride such a challenging course,” said Murphy. "Although my results weren’t what I had hoped for I was still pleased with sections of the course and am feeling confident heading to the World Champs in France next week."

Coach, Adam Dooney was impressed with Murphy’s ability to adapt to the most intense course he has ever raced. “Qualifying fifth put Carl in a far right gate for the start which was always going to be a challenge,” said Dooney. “Carl exploded out of the gate passing three riders to the inside of him meeting the top qualifier at the first feature. With such a good start Carl was looking good but unfortunately could not hold it together on the top section of the course going down on a table top feature which saw his chance of a podium disappear. He gathered himself well and managed to pass two riders on the bottom section putting him in fourth at the finish line.”

"With very limited training opportunity it was great to see Carl attacking such a technical course."

“As always, there were major performance breakthroughs at this event,” said Tom Willmott, Head Park and Pipe Coach for NZ’s Winter Performance Programme. “The bar just keeps getting raised and it will continue to be very exciting to see the progression of our sports over the next few years in the build up to the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014 and beyond. Our athletes are performing well, and it’s great to see Jossi back at the cutting edge. At the mid-way point of the season we are sitting in a strong overall position with solid world rankings across freeski and snowboard, slopestyle and halfpipe, men and women.”

Upcoming events in February include the Adaptive Snowboard Cross World Championships in France, the Burton Canadian Open, the third Winter Dew Tour in Snowbasin, Utah, followed by this year’s pinnacle event for snowboarding – the TTR World Snowboarding Championships in Oslo, Norway.

ENDS

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