Steph Hickey: No room for error in Snowboard Cross

Snowboard Cross is fast, furious and completely unpredictable, with four riders charging head-to-head. It’s a brutal mix of racing and freestyle, where raw speed, aerial control and split-second decisions all matter.

There are no style points and no margin for error. Riders battle shoulder-to-shoulder from start to finish, with crashes, lead changes and photo finishes all part of the spectacle, making snowboard cross one of the most exciting events of the Winter Olympics. 

We sat down with Winter Olympian and Channel Nine commentator Steph Hickey (nee Prem) to preview the event and the Aussie riders to watch at Milano Cortina.

What makes Snowboard Cross unique compared to other Winter Olympic events?

“Snowboard Cross is so unique because it's that combination of freestyle and racing at once on a giant obstacle course,” Hickey said. 

“You need raw speed to win the race obviously, but also you need the freestyle skills to manage the 60 foot jumps, the technical starts and everything else in between. 

“It's really chaos and pressure at the same time. You've got four riders racing to one finish line, and there's no room for error. 

“You're racing the course, you're racing the clock, and you're racing each other all at once. That's what makes Snowboard Cross so exciting to watch.”

Who are the athletes or nations expected to set the standard heading into Milano Cortina?

“I think it’s Australia, we’re heading in with two world number ones in Snowboard Cross, with Josie Baff and Adam Lambert,” Hickey said. 

“Anything can happen of course, there’s Italy and France hot on our heels, but as we know in Snowboard Cross, anything can happen and we know that our Aussies know how to perform when it counts!” 

What rivalries or storylines should fans keep an eye on?

“For me, it’s Jarryd Hughes - he’s our PyeongChang silver medalist,” Hickey said.

“He's returning after a 10-month injury hiatus, and he's chasing our fellow Aussies, Cameron Bolton and Adam Lambert, who have had really strong lead up seasons, with Lambert being number one in the world right now.

“But Jarryd is bringing that hunger, he's bringing his experience, so I think it's going to make it really interesting racing and really interesting watching. 

“And that's not even taking into account the other nations, that's just our Aussies!”

Are there any rising stars that we should be looking out for?

“Absolutely! I would keep an eye on Mia Clift and Abbey Wilson,” Hickey said. 

“They're exciting young riders who are coming up and through the ranks, and they're capable of making a real impact on the world stage at these Olympics, so look out for our Aussie female Snowboard Cross riders.”

Photo Credit: Steph Hickey