Overall ANC Snowboard X Champions Announced

Overall ANC Snowboard X Champions Announced: Suzuki FIS Australian New Zealand Cup at Hotham

Hotham Alpine Resort hosted the highly successful Suzuki Australian New Zealand Cup Snowboard Cross championships and the overall champions of the series have just been announced.

Australian World Cup boarder Belle Brockhoff easily won the women's overall title with a total of 180 points after a great victory in the final race and a second placing earlier in the day. Brockhoff who is currently ranked 9th in the world, has had an exceptional twelve months after her inaugural podium at World Cup level with a third placing in Montafon, Austria last December. This will stand her in good stead as she embarks on her northern Winter World Cup campaign and then eventually onto the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.

Second place in the women's went to young Georgia Baff with a total of 95 points. Baff who was competing against girls much older and stronger than herself, showed great speed and determination in her two races finishing with 4th and 5th placings respectively. Jacqui Sandland finished in third overall in the ANC with a points total of 76 from her 6th and 7th finishes.

Daniel Morrissy was the surprise package in the men's event with a come from behind win in the final race to just pip fellow Australian Cameron Bolton by nine points. Morrissy who finished the first race in 9th position, stormed to the overall victory in the second race where he was hot on the heels of the first two riders. When they tangled close to the finish, Morrissy held his nerve and rode around the outside of the crash zone crossing the line in 1st position and eventually taking the ANC title.

Bolton, who had won the first race was in an excellent position to take the overall title before finishing with a disappointing 13th place in the final race. Bolton has had a good year on the World Cup circuit finishing with a tenth place in his last World Cup start in Sierra Nevada and is sure to be in the mix in future events.

Josh Miller finished in third overall in the ANC title with two consistent finishes of 6th and 5th. Miller looks to have a bright future ahead and is sure to be a big contender in next year's event.

The victory in the Suzuki Australian New Zealand Cup is of more importance to Morrissy as it assures him his own starting position on the World Cup Circuit. Brockhoff, who is an established World Cup racer with her high ranking of 9th, already is assured of her start on the tour, whereas Morrissy who has only had four previous starts will savor his maiden victory on this bigger ANC stage and be out to gain valuable experience on the World Cup.

Hotham Alpine Resort has been host to the FIS Skier X events since 2006 and the Snowboard X events since 2005. General Manager of Hotham Skiing Company, Belinda Trembath commented, 'This is always an exciting event for athletes and spectators so we are pleased to be able to host this at Hotham once again. To see this high level of competition ahead of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games is really exciting for the future of the sport and for the snowsports industry in Australia."