Where Interschools Can Take You

James Johnstone , Snowboard Cross

Sydney-born James Johnstone found a passion and talent for snowboarding early in life, competing for Scots College, Bellevue Hill from grade three. From year seven he spent the winter season focused on competition and competition skills, then progressed to overseas snowboard camps. Interschools competing remained a regular part of the progression for James from grade 3 right up to grade 12.

Snowboard Cross (boardercross) is an event where multiple riders race down a course filled with jumps, berms and banked turns with the goal to make the fastest time and this is James’ event of choice. With a strong foundation this twenty year old says he developed his talent through the supportive programs and pathways in NSW and credits incredible mentors such as Chumpy Pullin, Cameron Bolton and Belle Brockhoff who paved the way before him. He finished this past season with 2 wins and a 2nd place and ranked 4th in the European Cup overall standings. 

Catching up with James just before taking off for his first World Cup season overseas, his preparation included five training sessions at Sydney’s Olympic Park and five cycling sessions a week. The busy World Cup schedule ahead includes two World Cup events before Christmas with the rest of the World Cup events loaded into the post-Christmas period. 

James’ goals include qualifying inside the top 32. “It’s a huge step up from the European Cup to the World Cup and I want to feel as comfortable as I can”. James says.

GOOD LUCK JAMES!

Charlotte Wilson , Moguls

This young moguls skier has spent the pre-World Cup season with the Aussie team under the eye of Kate Blamey on the Brisbane water ramps practicing very specific competition aerial moves, top airs, back tucks and back Xs ready to apply those skills to the downhill moguls course.

The Moguls event involved skiing down a course featuring a series of closely spaced bumps, testing an athlete’s ability to navigate the bumps while maintaining speed, control and technique.

Water ramp training involves walking up 4 flights of stairs wearing old ski boots and a life jacket and swimsuit, ready to launch from a height over and over onto bubbly water in the pool!

Charlotte became interested in mogul racing through the inter-schools and was recognised back in 2016 at age 11. She then started with the weekend squad team at the Perisher Winter Sports Club, enjoying the bumps and jumps aspect of moguls, then getting selected into the Emerging Talent Camp and the NSWIS team in the autumn of 2022 then headed off for the Nor-Am Cup (North American Cup – the tour organised by the International Ski Federation).

With 3 Nor-Am tours under her belt, this will be Charlotte’s first season doing FIS World Cup. It’s a progression, you have to qualify through the club teams to make Nor-Am then the winner of No-Am gets a place in the FIS World Cup. 

What Charlotte is most looking forward to is experiencing new countries and new places and skiing new course on the World Cup. “At the same time I’m not looking forward to the 170+ hours of flying” Charlotte says. We look forward to seeing Charlotte succeed.            

GOOD LUCK CHARLOTTE!

Jackson Harvey – Moguls

Twenty two year old Mogul skier, Jackson Harvey ruptured his ACL and tore his meniscus in Finland Dec 2023 pre-World Cup season so unfortunately will be sitting this pre-World Cup season out due to prolonged knee rehab.

Growing up in Colorado with an American father and Aussie mum, Harvey moved to Jindabyne in 2015, attending local Jindabyne Central school and competing in inter-schools with friends who became teammates as he progressed along the pathway to the World Cup.

During his season competing at Inter-schools level, Jackson recognises he was already passionate about competing in Moguls and was intrinsically motivated to try and reach elite level. “ I would really emphasise to inter-school athletes the fun and enjoyment aspect of skiing and snowboarding. Enjoying the training and getting to hang out with teammates is paramount to getting to the next level because you’re going to have to do things not everyone wants to do”. 

Jackson’s advice to young athletes is to always have fun and look to the next level and be inspired by it”. Despite being out of action for the time being, Jackson trains 5 days a week with a mix of lifting, bike sessions, strength and conditioning and swimming and is studying a Bachelor of Environmental Science and Business at Griffith University.

GOOD LUCK WITH REHAB AND GETTING BACK INTO THE COMP!