Across the Board - British Snowboard Team Newsletter
'This One Time at Camp'...The British Junior Snowboard
Squad bring in 2008 in Avoriaz
 The
British Junior Snowboard Squad brought in the New Year training
and exhibiting their skills and abilities on the French slopes
of Avoriaz. The athletes responded brilliantly to the coaching
of Sonia Shaw and Lesley McKenna - guest coach for the week
- and each showed great potential to progress in their disciplines.
The camp kicked off on Saturday 29th December and finished
on Saturday 5th January. Each morning started with stretches
and general core training. The first day in Avoriaz was used
for freeboarding to show off some of the abilities and strengths
of the boarders. The freeboarding session was used to judge
the athletes and take note of their snow abilities and technique.
The rest of the week saw the team train in various techniques
and disciplines and ended with the team meeting Swedish team
coach, Simon Whyte.
Along with training, the Junior team made their TV debuts.
Wakeham's Super Start to Season
 Dan
Wakeham finished an impressive 2nd place at his first competition
of the New Year, The Airwaves Invitational Halfpipe Competition
on 9 January in Tignes, France.
Dan fought off tough competition from 3rd place winner, Gary
Zebrowski of France to take the €5,000 prize. Wakeham
triumphed over Zebrowski, who finished 6th in the Halfpipe
in the 2006 Winter Olympics, and Finnish World Cup Champ,
Janne Korpi. Dan's winning run included a frontside crippler
on his first hit, to McTwist, frontside 720, cab 720 and huge
air to fakie.
Dan commented: "There were loads of people watching
and it was great to get cheers from the fellow Brits in the
crowd when the MC announced I was dropping in for my run.
I'm just super stoked to get a podium spot pretty early on
in the season as it really stands you in good stead for all
of the other competitions to come".
Promising Prospect - Zoe Gillings
 Zoë
Gillings is Great Britain's number one female snowboarder.
With 11 years experience and a world ranking of sixth - at
just 22 years old - the Boardercross rider has achieved so
much already.
Making her first appearance in the 1998 British Championship
at only 12 years old, Gillings embarrassed a few older competitors
by finishing 3rd. Following her impressive performance, it
was no surprise that Zoë was picked to represent the
British Junior Team. Gillings dominated the youth category
in the British championships, winning an amazing 37 consecutive
competitions.
After moving to Canada in 2001 to concentrate on her snowboarding,
16 year old Gillings earned 14th place in her first World
Cup performance. Three years later, at the World Cup in Chile,
Gillings took gold and silver medals.
Following her 9th place finish at last weekends World Cup
Snowboardcross at Bad Gastein...
A Week with Wakeham
The World Cup team recently spent time in Breckenridge, Colorado
for an intensive training camp. Dan Wakeham gives us his thoughts
on the trip.
We flew out to Calgary, Canada on 16th November with Zoom,
the team's airline sponsor. As soon as we arrived, we hired
a car and drove down through the States to Colorado. I was
amazed at how good the conditions were considering there was
hardly enough snow to cover the slopes. In America I think
they really have their priorities right, they know that at
this time of year the majority of people buying passes are
the snowboarders and the ski racers.
There was a good British contingency out in Breckenridge.
With the World Cup Half Pipe and Freestyle Teams, there were
nine British Team riders in total. Having the most perfect
halfpipe to ride everyday combined with so many familiar faces
to spur you on, made everyone's progression and amplitude
noticeable.
This was our first real training camp where we could really
get used to working with our new coach Leo Addington without
having to worry about a fast approaching competition. Everyone
is really happy to work with Leo as he has a good understanding
of the tricks and general halfpipe riding, and he often drops
in to the pipe himself!
The trip proved to be a real success, there's a great feeling
within the team and we are all looking forward to the season.
Going to the Premiere: Winter X Games kick off 2008
 With
the winter season providing some excellent results from the
British Snowboard Team, Snowboardcross competitor Zoë
Gillings will represent Great Britain for the second time
at the prestigious Winter X Games this January.
2008 kicks off the 12th X Games competition, to be hosted
in Snowmass, Aspen, Colorado in what will be the New Year's
premiere winter action sports event. The event will take place
from 24th - 27th January, with 22nd and 23rd January as practice
and elimination days.
Athletes from across the globe will be competing for medals
and prize money and with the New Year setting new challenges
for the Snowsport GB team we look forward to seeing some great
performances and results.
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