Graham named Ski & Snowboard Athlete of the Year

NSWIS athlete Matt Graham has been named as the 2016 Ski and Snowboard Australia Athlete of the Year. 

Competing in the Moguls World Cup, Graham produced an outstanding season that saw him win three world cup medals, including a gold, and finish the season ranked second in the world cup standings. 

Fellow NSWIS athlete Belle Brockhoff was also a finalist for the top gong after completing a fine season that saw her finish third in the Snowboard Cross World Cup standings. 

Highlights for Brockhoff included two silver medals and a breakthrough win at the final Snowboard Cross World Cup event of the year.  

The accolades for NSWIS athletes continued beyond the major awards with Snowboard Halfpipe athlete Emily Arthur claiming the award for Junior Athlete of the year, 2002 Olympic gold medallist Alisa Camplin presented the award. 

Arthur won a silver medal in the Halfpipe at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer earlier this year, and was also the Australian flag bearer at the opening ceremony. 

Australia’s Snowboard Cross team claimed the Outstanding Achievement award thanks to a season where they collectively claimed three World Cup gold medals as well as three silvers and one bronze medal. 

NSWIS coach Ben Wordsworth took out the Coach of the Year award, with assistant Harald Benselin also recognised.