ABOM MOGUL CHALLENGE - News Archive
2017: Graham wins historic sixth ABOM Mogul Challenge title, Parks upsets World number one to win fourth title
Nicole Parks (left) and Matthew Graham, winners of the 2017 ABOM Mogul Challenge at Mt Buller
Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA) skier and current world number three Matthew Graham has smashed the record books with an historic sixth victory at Mt Buller on Saturday 2 September in the ABOM Mogul Challenge.
Graham now stands clear with the most victories in the events 29-year history, moving past two-time Australian Olympian Nick Cleaver and current world number one Britt Cox who both have five wins.
MEDIA
Mark Ashkanasy Photos
Andrew Railton Photos
Tim Byrne Video Highlights
The dual mogul action was spectacular on the Chamois ski run, with athletes battling it out ahead of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, Korea. With spots on the Australian team likely to go down to the wire, the standard of the sport in Australia is at an all-time high.
Nicole Parks had one of the best victories of her career to claim her fourth ABOM title, highlighted by a big upset of current World Champion Britt Cox in the semi-final round by a score of 13-12 from the judges. Parks’ New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) teammate Madii Himbury finished in second place, with Cox taking the bronze.
Graham was the strong favourite in the men’s event, and looked comfortable all day, qualifying in first place and winning each dual on the way to the title. International athletes Alexandre Lavoie of Canada finished second with American George McQuinn third.
The event was a great success with a record field of 128 entrants from Australia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Japan, Korea, Poland and the USA.
The ABOM Mogul Challenge is a world-class mogul ski competition held annually at Mt Buller since 1989. This iconic event is one of the highlights of the winter season, attracting some of the world’s best mogul skiers.
Buller Ski Lifts General Manager Laurie Blampied congratulated the athletes, “The speed, skills and style that the skiers showcased on Chamois run yesterday was impressive.
Freestyle skiing is a key component of elite snowsports here at Mt Buller and we look forward to supporting the moguls and aerial skiers with the resort’s continued commitment the Olympic Training Center here in 2018 and beyond.”
Results
Women's Results 2017
Men's Results 2017
Graham now stands clear with the most victories in the events 29-year history, moving past two-time Australian Olympian Nick Cleaver and current world number one Britt Cox who both have five wins.
MEDIA
Mark Ashkanasy Photos
Andrew Railton Photos
Tim Byrne Video Highlights
The dual mogul action was spectacular on the Chamois ski run, with athletes battling it out ahead of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, Korea. With spots on the Australian team likely to go down to the wire, the standard of the sport in Australia is at an all-time high.
Nicole Parks had one of the best victories of her career to claim her fourth ABOM title, highlighted by a big upset of current World Champion Britt Cox in the semi-final round by a score of 13-12 from the judges. Parks’ New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) teammate Madii Himbury finished in second place, with Cox taking the bronze.
Graham was the strong favourite in the men’s event, and looked comfortable all day, qualifying in first place and winning each dual on the way to the title. International athletes Alexandre Lavoie of Canada finished second with American George McQuinn third.
The event was a great success with a record field of 128 entrants from Australia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Japan, Korea, Poland and the USA.
The ABOM Mogul Challenge is a world-class mogul ski competition held annually at Mt Buller since 1989. This iconic event is one of the highlights of the winter season, attracting some of the world’s best mogul skiers.
Buller Ski Lifts General Manager Laurie Blampied congratulated the athletes, “The speed, skills and style that the skiers showcased on Chamois run yesterday was impressive.
Freestyle skiing is a key component of elite snowsports here at Mt Buller and we look forward to supporting the moguls and aerial skiers with the resort’s continued commitment the Olympic Training Center here in 2018 and beyond.”
Results
Women's Results 2017
Men's Results 2017
2016: Cox join records books with fifth
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Open Women
1) Britt Cox (Olympic Winter Institute of Australia) 2) Pip Sparrow (AUSMSA) 3) Nicole Parks (Olympic Winter Institute of Australia) |
Open Men
1) Brodie Summers (Olympic Winter Institute of Australia) 2) James Matheson (NSW Institute of Sport) 3) Rohan Chapman-Davies (NSW Institute of Sport) |
World’s best battle it out at Mt Buller in the 2015
27th ABOM Mogul Challenge
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Britt Cox and Benjamin Cavet have emerged victorious in one of the strongest fields ever assembled for the ABOM Mogul Challenge at Mt Buller.
In its 27th year, the event attracted a record number of competitors, and featured some of the best skiers in the world highlighted by current world number one Mikael Kingsbury of Canada and World Cup teams from France, Canada and the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA).
Britt Cox’s victory in the women’s event over World Junior Champion Perrine Laffont of France, gave Cox a record fourth ABOM title, the most won by a female athlete. Rounding out the women’s podium was Mt Buller athlete Jakara Anthony who currently trains with the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS).
The men’s final featured one of the greatest duals ever seen at Mt Buller, with French Skier Benjamin Cavet taking victory over Canadian Mikael Kingsbury by one point, the smallest margin possible. Mt Buller’s Brodie Summers won bronze after out dualing Canadian world number three Phillipe Marquis.
The day was a great success, with the event run in front of a large crowd on the Chamois course in the Mt Buller village under glorious blue skies. The dual mogul action featured spectacular side by side jumps and turns with most duals going down to the wire.
In its 27th year, the event attracted a record number of competitors, and featured some of the best skiers in the world highlighted by current world number one Mikael Kingsbury of Canada and World Cup teams from France, Canada and the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA).
Britt Cox’s victory in the women’s event over World Junior Champion Perrine Laffont of France, gave Cox a record fourth ABOM title, the most won by a female athlete. Rounding out the women’s podium was Mt Buller athlete Jakara Anthony who currently trains with the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS).
The men’s final featured one of the greatest duals ever seen at Mt Buller, with French Skier Benjamin Cavet taking victory over Canadian Mikael Kingsbury by one point, the smallest margin possible. Mt Buller’s Brodie Summers won bronze after out dualing Canadian world number three Phillipe Marquis.
The day was a great success, with the event run in front of a large crowd on the Chamois course in the Mt Buller village under glorious blue skies. The dual mogul action featured spectacular side by side jumps and turns with most duals going down to the wire.
Graham & Parks win 2014 ABOM Mogul Challenge
Mt Buller hosted the 26th annual ABOM Moguls Challenge yesterday, with the event again attracting a world class field of competitors and a massive crowd on the Summit course.
First held at Mt Buller in 1989, this iconic event is one of the highlights of the winter season, attracting some of the world’s best mogul skiers and yesterday’s competition was no exception.
After making his Olympic debut at Sochi in 2014, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia skier Matt Graham took out the Men’s final yesterday in a hard fought duel against Rohan Chapman–Davies.
Graham has now won 5 ABOM Titles equalling two-time Australian Olympian Nick Cleaver’s record of five straight ABOM titles, which Nick achieved between 1991 and 1995.
In the women’s event, 2013 winner Nicole Parks celebrated back to back ABOM Moguls Title’s after prevailing against fellow Winter Olympian Britteny Cox. Parks has now won 3 ABOM Title’s, after breaking Cox’s streak of 3 consecutive Titles last year.
Buller Ski Lifts CEO Laurie Blampied was very happy with the success of the 2015 event.
“It was fantastic to see the ABOM Moguls return to the Summit course yesterday, helping make the event into a true spectacle for everyone to enjoy.
Once again we welcomed a world class field of competitors and we congratulate Matthew Graham and Nicole Parks who were once again well deserving champions.”
The ABOM Mogul Challenge is sanctioned by the International Ski Federation (FIS) with results contributing to World Rankings and National team selections.
First held at Mt Buller in 1989, this iconic event is one of the highlights of the winter season, attracting some of the world’s best mogul skiers and yesterday’s competition was no exception.
After making his Olympic debut at Sochi in 2014, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia skier Matt Graham took out the Men’s final yesterday in a hard fought duel against Rohan Chapman–Davies.
Graham has now won 5 ABOM Titles equalling two-time Australian Olympian Nick Cleaver’s record of five straight ABOM titles, which Nick achieved between 1991 and 1995.
In the women’s event, 2013 winner Nicole Parks celebrated back to back ABOM Moguls Title’s after prevailing against fellow Winter Olympian Britteny Cox. Parks has now won 3 ABOM Title’s, after breaking Cox’s streak of 3 consecutive Titles last year.
Buller Ski Lifts CEO Laurie Blampied was very happy with the success of the 2015 event.
“It was fantastic to see the ABOM Moguls return to the Summit course yesterday, helping make the event into a true spectacle for everyone to enjoy.
Once again we welcomed a world class field of competitors and we congratulate Matthew Graham and Nicole Parks who were once again well deserving champions.”
The ABOM Mogul Challenge is sanctioned by the International Ski Federation (FIS) with results contributing to World Rankings and National team selections.
2014 Event Photos
ABOM Mogul Challenge from TeamBullerRiders on Vimeo.
2013 ABOM Mogul Challenge
Video: Final - event winners
Sochi hopefuls take out the 2013 James Boag’s ABOM Mogul Challenge
Brodie Summers and Nicole Parks have emerged victorious from a great day of dual mogul competition in the 25th James Boag’s ABOM Mogul Challenge at Mt Buller.
The performance of the two Sochi 2014 Olympic hopefuls was very impressive, ending the winning streaks of their AIS team-mates Matt Graham and Britt Cox who had won the past four and three titles respectively.
With a record field competing under blue skies on the Chamois course in the heart of the Mt Buller village, the action was spectacular with a number of exciting duals going down to the wire.
For Summers, who grew up training at Mt Buller, the win was extra special.
“Since I first started training moguls, I always dreamed of winning the ABOM Mogul Challenge”.
Summers admitted that he felt a little more disappointment for Graham, who finished second, given that his mate was trying to win the ABOM for a fifth consecutive year.
“I think that made it a little tougher. I actually apologised to him when we shook hands at the bottom. I felt bad for taking away his record but we all wanted it really bad out here today.
“Winning today is a real confidence boost in the lead up to the Olympics, especially when the win was against somebody like Matt Graham. His turns are in a class of the best in the world.”
Rounding out the men’s podium was New South Wales Institute of Sport Skier, Rohan Chapman-Davies, who won a narrow dual for third place over AIS athlete Sam Hall.
In the women’s event, Parks added a second ABOM trophy to a previous win in this event in 2009 with a narrow 13-12 win over second placed Perisher athlete Madii Himbury.
In the biggest upset on the day, Cox lost a tight semi-final dual with Himbury, with Cox relegated to third after winning the consolation final over emerging Mt Buller junior Claudia Gueli.
Parks said that she will also take a lot of added confidence out of today’s win and use it to further spur her on as she prepares to compete in the Winter Olympic Games.
“Winning today means a lot to me because it is the event’s 25th anniversary. I won the 21st event so it is great to take it out again,” she said.
Category Winners
Brodie Summers and Nicole Parks have emerged victorious from a great day of dual mogul competition in the 25th James Boag’s ABOM Mogul Challenge at Mt Buller.
The performance of the two Sochi 2014 Olympic hopefuls was very impressive, ending the winning streaks of their AIS team-mates Matt Graham and Britt Cox who had won the past four and three titles respectively.
With a record field competing under blue skies on the Chamois course in the heart of the Mt Buller village, the action was spectacular with a number of exciting duals going down to the wire.
For Summers, who grew up training at Mt Buller, the win was extra special.
“Since I first started training moguls, I always dreamed of winning the ABOM Mogul Challenge”.
Summers admitted that he felt a little more disappointment for Graham, who finished second, given that his mate was trying to win the ABOM for a fifth consecutive year.
“I think that made it a little tougher. I actually apologised to him when we shook hands at the bottom. I felt bad for taking away his record but we all wanted it really bad out here today.
“Winning today is a real confidence boost in the lead up to the Olympics, especially when the win was against somebody like Matt Graham. His turns are in a class of the best in the world.”
Rounding out the men’s podium was New South Wales Institute of Sport Skier, Rohan Chapman-Davies, who won a narrow dual for third place over AIS athlete Sam Hall.
In the women’s event, Parks added a second ABOM trophy to a previous win in this event in 2009 with a narrow 13-12 win over second placed Perisher athlete Madii Himbury.
In the biggest upset on the day, Cox lost a tight semi-final dual with Himbury, with Cox relegated to third after winning the consolation final over emerging Mt Buller junior Claudia Gueli.
Parks said that she will also take a lot of added confidence out of today’s win and use it to further spur her on as she prepares to compete in the Winter Olympic Games.
“Winning today means a lot to me because it is the event’s 25th anniversary. I won the 21st event so it is great to take it out again,” she said.
Category Winners
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Open Men
1 Brodie Summers (AIS) 2 Matt Graham (AIS) 3 Rohan Chapman-Davies (NSWIS) Open Women 1 Nicole Parks (AIS) 2 Madi Himbyry (PWSC) 3 Britt Cox (AIS) Junior Women (14 to 19) 1 Claudia Gueli (TBR) 2 Pip Sparrow (NSWIS) 3 Jakara Anthony (TBR) Junior Men (14 to 19) 1 Jake Ashton (PWSC) 2 James Matheson (NSWIS) 3 Max Bernard (TBR) |
Youth Men (13 & Under)
1 Benjamin Matsumoto (PWSC) 2 Cooper Woods Topalovic (PWSC) 3 Daniel Walker (TBR) Youth Women (13 & Under) 1 Willow Burrell (TBR) 2 Ruby Hayson (PWSC) 3 Isobel Honan (TBR) Masters Men (30+) 1 Chris Schwarz (TBR) 2 Adam Lewis |
History in the making
at the 25th James Boag’s ABOM Mogul Challenge
This Saturday the 31st of August, teenage stars Matt Graham and Britt Cox will be aiming to make history by continuing their amazing winning streaks in the 2013 James Boag’s ABOM Mogul Challenge at Mt Buller.
Both eighteen-year-old Australian Institute of Sport athletes have dominated the event in recent years, with Graham winning the past four men’s titles and Cox the past three women’s titles.
If Graham can win again on the Chamois course, he will tie two-time Australian Olympian Nick Cleaver’s record of five straight ABOM titles, which Nick achieved between 1991 and 1995.
Aiming to end the winning streaks of Graham and Cox will be there AIS team-mates, who are on the rise in advance of the 2013-2014 season, which will culminate in the 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games.
Graham’s main challengers in the men’s event will come from Mt Buller’s own Brodie Summers, who made his first podium at the National Mogul Championships at Perisher last week. Sam Hall, a previous winner of the ABOM event in 2008 and seventh place finisher at the 2013 FIS World Championships, will also be strong contenders.
In the women’s event, Cox will face strong competition from day one winner of the National Mogul Championships Taylah O’Neill and 2009 ABOM winner Nicole Parks.
Both eighteen-year-old Australian Institute of Sport athletes have dominated the event in recent years, with Graham winning the past four men’s titles and Cox the past three women’s titles.
If Graham can win again on the Chamois course, he will tie two-time Australian Olympian Nick Cleaver’s record of five straight ABOM titles, which Nick achieved between 1991 and 1995.
Aiming to end the winning streaks of Graham and Cox will be there AIS team-mates, who are on the rise in advance of the 2013-2014 season, which will culminate in the 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games.
Graham’s main challengers in the men’s event will come from Mt Buller’s own Brodie Summers, who made his first podium at the National Mogul Championships at Perisher last week. Sam Hall, a previous winner of the ABOM event in 2008 and seventh place finisher at the 2013 FIS World Championships, will also be strong contenders.
In the women’s event, Cox will face strong competition from day one winner of the National Mogul Championships Taylah O’Neill and 2009 ABOM winner Nicole Parks.
*Shot, Produced and Edited by Tim Byrne.
The 25th Year Celebration Poster - out now!
Illustration by Jenny Laidlaw Graphic Design by Mark Ashkanasy |
Each year a poster is produced to entice individuals brave enough to give the best mogul skiers in the country a run for their money.
These signature posters began by featuring the loveably abominable snow man, the ABOM’s mascot, designed by Alan Marshall, poster 1989-1992. More recently the posters have featured Olympics athletes, Team Buller members and a plethora of impressive tricks, which best represent the evolution of the ABOM Mogul challenge and the progression of mogul skiing worldwide. This years is a retro style referencing the early posters of the event, and clearly the 25th celebration. To see all 25 years of posters click now. Want a copy of the 25th Anniversary Poster illustrated by Jenny Laidlaw?
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