Wanaka, New Zealand (February 2, 2009) Adaptive Snowboarder Carl Murphy, 29, New Plymouth, has finished third at the Canadian Snowboard Federation’s (CSF) National Adaptive Snowboarding Championships, yesterday, at Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver, British Columbia.
Ian Lockey (2nd), Tyler Mosher (1st) and Carl Murphy (3rd)
Up against the most experienced field of world class riders to date, Murphy finished with a time of 25.61 seconds, only .26 of a second behind silver medalist Ian Lockey.
Murphy, who is a below the knee amputee, is a member of the New Zealand Adaptive Snow Sports Team and is currently being coached by Adam Dooney, Coaching and Athlete Director for Snow Sports New Zealand.
“I’m stoked to have made my first goal of the season. My race went well and I felt really good going into it. Although short, the course was fast and technical,” said Murphy. “My intense training and preparation with Adam this week has put me in good shape.”
View from top of course
The Canadian Adaptive National Championships welcomed snowboarders with physical disabilities from around the globe who competed in a one-rider version of snowboardcross. The one-rider version of snowboardcross consists of the best three time trial runs.
In 2008, the CSF became a world leader by hosting the first ever adaptive snowboarding World Cup in Whistler, British Columbia. The international event made history by introducing classification concepts for the first time in the history of the sport around the globe.
“Our goals for the sport is to increase awareness, increase the participation of young riders and build a base which will ultimately allow its inclusion in the Paralympic Winter Games,” said Tom McIllfaterick, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Snowboard Federation.
Adaptive snowboarding refers to a modified version of the sport, with adapts in equipment, rules, and technical specifications that enable persons with physical disabilities to participate in both recreational and competitive activities. Athletes compete based on their functional ability, allowing athletes with different disabilities to compete against each other.
Before returning to New Zealand, Murphy will compete in Italy and the USA.
Adaptive Snow Sports New Zealand is part of Snow Sports New Zealand. Snow Sports New Zealand is the official governing body and National Sports Organisation representing all snow sports in New Zealand.
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