Ben Tudhope Secures Australia's Second Medal at Winter Paralympics

Australia - Ekhbary News Agency

Tudhope's Bronze in Banked Slalom Adds to Australia's Paralympic Medal Haul

Cortina, Italy – In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Australian snowboarder Ben Tudhope has clinched a bronze medal in the men's banked slalom SB-LL2 at the Winter Paralympic Games. This achievement represents Australia's second medal of the current Games, further highlighting the nation's growing success in winter para-sports.

Tudhope, 26, navigated the challenging Cortina course with impressive precision, securing a podium finish that adds to his already decorated Paralympic career. He finished behind Italy's Emanuel Perathoner, who also won gold in the snowboard cross event earlier in the week, and Switzerland's Fabrice von Gruenigen. This bronze medal is particularly significant as it is Tudhope's first Paralympic medal in the banked slalom discipline and his first time securing two medals at a single Winter Paralympics, following his silver medal win in snowboard cross.

Speaking after the event, Tudhope expressed his elation, noting that the pressure had eased after his previous medal win. "Today was fun. The pressure was off. The expectation of medalling was off and it’s fun going out there and being a contender and fighting for the podium," he shared.

The Australian athlete, who often identifies as a snowboard cross specialist, revealed that banked slalom is technically his secondary event, making this achievement even more remarkable. "I always think to myself, I never tell this to anyone... that banked slalom is my second event. I think I’m a border cross specialist and then bank slalom is just something I do on the side. So to be able to come here and perform and get this medal is absolutely insane, especially with the riding going on today," Tudhope elaborated.

While acknowledging that he hadn't executed a "perfect run," Tudhope was visibly stoked with his performance and its outcome. "I wish I could have been absolutely stoked with myself, but to still be good enough to put the time down to... medal and be able to perform at that high level. I’m stoked," he stated, emphasizing his satisfaction with medalling despite not feeling he had reached peak perfection.

This latest medal adds to Tudhope's impressive Paralympic record. He was also Australia's sole medallist at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, where he secured a bronze in snowboard cross. Tudhope made his Paralympic debut at the tender age of 14 in Sochi in 2014, and this marks his fourth appearance at the Games. His presence was further amplified as he served as one of Australia's flag bearers during the opening ceremony, underscoring his leadership and esteemed position within the national team.

Reflecting on the venue and his performance compared to previous Games, Tudhope expressed a marked improvement. "This course has been amazing. I think everyone was stoked up there compared to Beijing. Gosh, that was one of my worst performances in that four-year cycle. So in the back of my head, I definitely wanted to be able to put on the show here and that’s what I did," he said, indicating a strong desire to perform well on this particular course.

Concluding his remarks, Tudhope summed up his experience with profound gratitude and excitement. "I’m happy. It’s an amazing feeling being here, to be at the Paralympic Games, to come away with two medals after being the opening ceremony flag bearer. What a dream Games for me."

This masthead travelled to Cortina as a guest of Paralympics Australia. The Winter Paralympic Games are broadcast on the Nine Network, 9Now, and Stan Sport.

Ekhbary News Agency