With the domestic season almost behind us, now is the time to turn our attention to the upcoming Northern Winter, which brings with it the undisputed highlight of the Global Winter Sports calendar, the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. While SSA will be sending hundreds of athletes overseas to compete at all levels of competition, the Winter Olympic Games is without a doubt the major event for our National Team athletes. SSA will keep you up to date with the progress of our aspiring Olympic athletes as they attempt to qualify for the Australian Olympic Team, and the form of our athletes that are qualified in the lead up to the big event. As always we welcome contribution to the E-News and the SSA website. Please contact Ryan in the office to find out how you can become more involved in reporting on Winter Sport activities.   Regards Michael Kennedy CEO SSA

Snowboard The National Snowboard Team has just returned from a successful World Cup campaign in Chile which last week staged the first Snowboard World Cup events of the season. Holly Crawford became the latest Australian World Cup medal winner by finishing third in her first World Cup after being sidelined for 20 months due to injury. Holly has now met the AOC criteria for Olympic selection. Andrew Burton equalled his personal best placing by finishing sixth in the men’s event. Also on the schedule were two Boardercross World Cup events where Damon Hayler was the best of the Australian men finishing 31st. Emily Thomas was consistent finishing 31st in both events. The National Team will now be travelling to Saas Fee, Switzerland for the next World Cup.

Alpine The Australia and New Zealand Cup Final is currently being held in Turoa, New Zealand. A large contingent of Australian athletes made the trip across to compete in three Slalom and Giant Slalom events. Results and final ANC standings will be available shortly on the SSA website. The Alpine Committee will be holding a meeting of all Race Club Presidents, Program Directors and Head Coaches in Albury this coming Sunday. The meeting has been organised to discuss a number of items including the Athlete Pathway, The High Performance Athlete Development (HPAD) Program and the Australian season 2006 Calendar. Keep an eye on the SSA website for outcomes from the meeting.

Cross Country The Australian Cross Country season has come to a close after some very good performances by National Team athletes culminating in an Australian double at the Kangaroo Hoppet by Ben Sim and Clare-Louise Brumley. The Provisional National Rankings for Sprint and Distance have been calculated. To view the rankings please follow the links below. 2005 Distance Rankings 2005 Sprint Rankings

Freestyle After competing in the first World Cup of the season at Mt Buller the Aerials team have arrived in Park City to continue their water jump training before the next World Cup in Changchun, China. Lydia Ierodiaconou makes a remarkable comeback to training this week only 12 weeks after radical knee to repair her ruptured ACL. The Moguls team which has spent the Australian winter training on “Toppas Dream” at Perisher Blue are currently taking a short break before their first World Cup in Tignes, France. All eyes will be on Dale Begg-Smith as he competes in his first World Cup event since winning bronze at the 2005 World Freestyle Championships in Ruka, Finland.

Vale The board and staff of Ski & Snowboard Australia would like to extend its condolences to the families of Ian Parfitt and Sandra Guss who passed away recently. Ian and Sandra will be remembered by the skiing community for their long and outstanding contribution to the sport of skiing.

Constitutional Review Survey A brief reminder that the questionnaire, as part of the Ski & Snowboard Australia Constitutional Review, is now due for submission. For further information on the Independent Review and to download a survey please click here. The document referred to in the questionnaire including the SSA constitution and strategic plan can be found here: http://www.skiandsnowboard.org.au/about_ssa.asp

FIS Newsflash This issue contains: Valle Nevado (CHI) gets Nokia Snowboard FIS World Cup off to perfect start Changes to FIS Snowboard management TOROC unveils new motto WADA expresses satisfaction with FIS La Tremblade (FRA) stages FIS Rollerski World Championships Kaprun (AUT) to host Snowboard Judge clinic Please click here to find the forty-first edition of the FIS Newsflash

Sports Shorts Alpine The Australian National Children’s Championship The Balmain Cup Cross Country 2005 National Rankings Australians Win 2005 Kangaroo Hoppet Freestyle Freestyle Coaching Course Latest Freestyle News Snowboard Australia Gains New Winter Sports Medallist