Valentino Claims Back-to-Back World Cup Medals

Teenage sensation and NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder Valentino Guseli has claimed back-to-back world cup halfpipe silver medals, after finishing second in Calgary, Canada.

The halfpipe competition in Calgary was the final world cup tour event of the season, with the podium performance moving Valentino into second place in the end of season rankings.

Valentino ’s lead at the top of the overall FIS World Cup snowboard standings, which incorporates halfpipe, slopestyle and big air disciplines also increased in the race for the overall “crystal globe” title.

In the best of three run finals format, Valentino had his highest score in his final run, scoring 82 points, to give the 17-year-old the sixth world cup podium of his career.

Finishing ahead of Valentino in first place was Japanese rider Ruka Hirano with 88.50 points, with his fellow countryman Shuichiro Shigeno in third with 81.75.

At the Para Snowboard Cross world cup in Cortina Italy, NSWIS scholarship holder Ben Tudhope won a bronze medal in event 1 and a gold medal in event 2.

Article and image courtesy of the OWIA