Day nine success in Sochi

Day nine of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games came and went with NSWIS athletesBelle Brockhoff (@bellebrockhoff), Greg Merriman and Danielle O’Brien(@OBrienMerriman) turning in outstanding performances on the snow and ice.

Brockhoff’s eighth place in the women’s snowboard cross was the highlight of the day’s competition, with the 21 year old unlucky not to place even higher in the high speed event.

After successfully navigating her way through the quarter-final heat that included fellow NSWIS athlete Torah Bright (@TorahBright), who finished 18th overall, Brockhoff lined up in the second semi-final with a chance to progress to the medal round. However midway through the semi-final Brockhoff received a bump from another competitor and crashed, relegating her to the small final. 

Despite the disappointment of missing out on the medals, Brockhoff performed strongly in the small final by bouncing back from the crash to finish second in the race and place eighth overall on Olympic debut.

Brockhoff’s success on the slopes was complemented by the artistic display put on by ice dancers Merriman and O’Brien, who were competing in the short dance routine.

A solid routine from the NSWIS pair saw them score 52.68 points to finish in 20th place, qualifying them for a berth in the free dance, which takes place in the early hours of Tuesday morning, Sydney time.

Day 10 of the Games is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet for Australia and the NSWIS as Alex Pullin (@chumpypullin), Cam Bolton (@cameron_bolton) and Jarryd Hughes(@jarrydhughes) line up in the men’s snowboard cross, with all three having a shot at the medals.