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Last Updated: May 24, 2009 - 3:37:13 PM |
Wanaka, New Zealand – It was a beautiful sunny day at Cardrona Resort, conjuring up images for many of warm, sandy beaches. But for Korath Wright, from a land of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, it felt like he was right back at home on snow.
Wright, who has spent the past year finalizing all of the paperwork and criteria required to enable him to ride for his home country of The Bahamas, was finally able to get back on snow and compete in his first FIS Snowboard Halfpipe World Cup as a representative of the Island Nation.
The first event of the season felt really good for Wright, who has been training over the past year while having to sit out of competition in order to gain his FIS license for The Bahamas.
“My riding feels good,” said Wright. “I fell and held back a bit today, but next time I will definitely send it,” said Wright. “My riding is taken to the next level now, and it’s great to get back into competition. I’m already looking forward to the next event.”
Despite the fall during the two-run qualifying round, Wright still showed the judges and crowd that he has what it takes to compete with the top in the world, placing 24th in a field of more than 50 male riders from 20 countries. The event also marked history, as the Bahamas has never had a winter snowboarder representing the country on the World Cup circuit.
Wright proudly rode The Bahamas flag-emblazoned snowboard that was signed by his many supporters at the official announcement of his FIS license approval in Nassau this past spring. His next stop will be in Saas Fee, Switzerland at the end of October, and all of these World Cup competitions are helping to prepare him to qualify for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.
It was just over two years ago in Whistler, when all of this began for Wright. After taking third place in his first-ever World Cup, he was approached by the Bahamas High Commission, enquiring if he would ride for his home country. This contact has not only provided Wright with an opportunity in snowboarding, but has also established a new connection with his home country and family. For more information about Korath’s story, please visit www.korathwright.com
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