Another Aussie wins breakthrough winter sports medal

Australian winter sport has produced another World Cup medallist, Sydney teenager Nathan Johnstone winning halfpipe bronze in Stoneham, Canada, overnight. Johnstone’s podium appearance – in only the third World Cup of his career – follows debut medals earlier in the season for Alex Pullin in snowboard cross, Jenny Owens in ski cross and Tatiana Borodulina in short track speed skating. Johnstone, an 18-year-old NSW Institute of Sport rider, qualified in third position with a best run of 41.7 points, then stepped up in the final with a first run of 42.6 points and a final effort worth 43.7. “Nate was awesome,” said NSWIS halfpipe coach Ben Alexander. “He just came out and had fun today and put in a blinder in his second run in the final.” “Last week he qualified third as well, but tried to get after it a bit too much in the final and blew it.” “But he learnt a lot from that, and today he just stuck to the game plan, and knew that if he just performed the routine he knows how to do he could score in the 40s.” The event was won by US rider Gregory Bretz on 47.1 points, while the silver went to Brad Martin of Canada on 45.3 points. Torino 2006 Olympic team member Ben Mates finished in 12th place with a best final run of 34.5 points. Johnstone will now compete in the Killington Grand Prix pro event then round out his season at the US Open. Courtesy OWI/Sportcom © NSWIS