Tassie Local Emerges as Young Snowboard Champion
Published Fri 09 Sep 2022
While the Australian Interschools Championships are open to students from every state and territory in Australia, there’s no doubt students from NSW, ACT, South Australia, QLD and Victoria are more heavily represented.
However a young snowboarder from Tasmania has emerged as a stand-out performer.
Oliver Walsh from Sacred Heart Primary School in Ulverstone, Tasmania won gold in both the Boys Division 4 Snowboard Giant Slalom and Snowboard Cross events at this week’s National Championships at Perisher Resort.
As the only representative from his school, and one of a handful of Tasmanians at the Australian Interschools this year, Walsh said he was really proud of his achievements.
“I am so proud of myself for winning the two gold medals. I really tried my hardest and gave it my all on race day,” he said
“It meant a lot to win the gold medals and to be recognised as the National Champion for Division 4. I have trained really hard this year and it was a fantastic way to finish the season.
“I am the only one of my friends in Tasmania who is into snowboarding and I am the only one who competes for my school.”
The twelve-year-old started snowboarding when he was three years-old, as his family regularly travels interstate for snow holidays. He now spends several weeks a year in Victoria, making the most of the Mt Buller snow season.
“I started training at Mt Buller Race Club in 2019 when I was nine. I have always loved free riding and now I love racing!” Walsh said.
“During winter we live at Mt Buller and I train with the Mt Buller Race Club. During COVID, my friends and I spent many days hiking the hills to ride the powder runs that no one had been on and building jumps.
“My family also go hiking at Cradle Mountain in Tasmania to find some fresh snow when we can.”
The young rider said he will continue chasing winter and representing Tassie, as he chases his ultimate dream of becoming an Olympian.
“My dream is to represent Australia at the Olympics one day. I want to continue to improve my race skills and can’t wait to compete in slopestyle next year.
“I think it is really important to continue to have fun and enjoy riding with my friends - because that is the best part of snowboarding!”
The 2022 SUBARU Australian Interschools Championships run 6 - 11 September 2022. Live timing is available on the Snowracer app, and all results can be viewed HERE.