NSWIS/SSA Halfpipe Snowboard Development Team

The NSWIS/SSA Halfpipe Snowboard Development Team has taken part in their first event of the 2005-2006 international season, competing in the USSA Halfpipe Grand Prix event in Mt Bachelor, Oregon.

Up against American superstars such as Shaun White, Ross Powers and Danny Kass, the male members of the team did well, with Nathan Johnston finishing in 29th place, Ben Johnson 30th, Matt Hunter 44th and Jarryd Williams 51st.

Shaun White won the men's event, with Gretchen Bleiler taking out the women's.

Head Coach Ben Alexander commented after the event, "I’m happy with the results, especially with the limited time we have had to train at Mammoth, due to poor early season snowfalls".

The team, which also includes Simone Pritchard, has been training out of the California mountain since mid December, with the program scheduled to conclude at the Junior World Championships in February