Wanaka-based snowboarder James Hamilton, of
Auckland, won a bronze medal in a World Cup snowboarding
event in Valmalenco, Italy, yesterday.
He became the first New Zealand male snowboarder to achieve a
podium placing in a FIS World Cup event with his bronze medal
in the half pipe competition.
The result, in Hamilton's first half pipe World Cup finals
competition, secured him an overall ranking of 21st in the
FIS World Cup series.
The event was won by Crispin Lipscomb, of Canada, with Louri
Podladtchikov, of Switzerland, second.
New Zealand Snowboard team coach Tom Willmott said he was
delighted with Hamilton's medal achievement, which guarantees
a place for New Zealand in next year's Olympic qualifying
season.
Other strong results gave New Zealand three men's and three
women's starts at the FIS World Cup to challenge for spots at
the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Willmott said.
The team now heads to Stratton Mountain in Vermont, United
States, to compete at the prestigious US Open held this
weekend.
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