Torah Bright has overcome a shoulder injury to finish fifth in the women’s snowboard halfpipe final at Bardonecchia. Bright’s shoulder popped out in the first run of the final, and she required treatment before her second run.
Despite competing in severe pain, Bright put together a brilliant second run to prove she is one of the elite competitors before coming up just short of Australia’s first medal of the Games.
After a disappointing opening run, Bright responded like a true champion. Landing all of her tricks including a switch backside 540, Bright registered 41.0 to challenge the early leaders.
Bright just missed landing the first trick in her opening run and subsequently scored just 17.0. That left Bright in 10th place going into the second run. But pressure seems to bring the best out in the affable 19-year-old.
Bright was philosophical about her performance.
“It’s good, it’s all good, a great experience,” Bright said.
“I knew as soon as I finished that run that I didn’t ride my best and that’s always what every athlete thinks about.”
Reigning gold medallist and pre-final favourite Kelly Clark finished 0.1 points ahead of Bright in 4th place. Clark's team-mate Hannah Teter took the gold medal with 46.4 ahead of fellow American Gretchen Bleiler’s 43.4. Norway’s Kjersti Buaas took bronze with 42.0.
Teter has been in good form, winning the first two halfpipe events in Chile at the opening of the World Cup season.
Bright qualified for the final with an outstanding performance in the second qualifying run, where she finished 1st with a score of 43.1.
Bright’s score was the second highest registered in qualifying, just behind Clark who led the first run with a score of 44.9.
The Cooma-born boarder had the large crowd and her support team on its feet following her eye-catching performance in the qualifying, and that support carried through to the final. Whilst being disappointed in her performance, Bright sees it as part of her continuing development.
“I’m doing the most progressive female run that’s been done so it’s all about progression for me,” Bright said.
Twelve competitors qualified for the final from the morning session. Australian Holly Crawford performed admirably after her recent injury, but missed a berth in the final placing 18th.
Kevin Diggerson / AOC
