Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) snowboarders Nathan Johnstone and Holly Crawford have claimed gold in the men’s and women’s half pipe at the fifth event of the 2011 FIS Snowboard World Cup series in Bardonecchia, Italy, on 11 March. 

The 21-year-old Johnstone collected his second gold in the series with a score of 28.7 points. He won with a range of spectacular tricks: frontside 900 to backside 540, frontside 1080, cab 720 and frontside crail. France’s Johann Baisamy came second with 26.1 points and Arthur Longo third with 25.2 points.

Johnstone has leapt to the lead in the overall standing of the World Cup series with 3060 points, followed by Japan’s Ryō Aono on 2800 points. 

‘I really wanted to get a win here to get me back in a good position in the points ranking,’ said Johnstone right after his final run. ‘Now, I guess we could have a good show in Arosa, so I hope Ryō will be there.’

Crawford clinched gold in the women’s half pipe with a score of 24.7 points from a frontside lien, japan air, frontside 720, cab 360 and frontside 540. France’s Mirabelle Thovex finished in second place on 23.1 points, followed by Poland’s Paulina Ligocka-Andrzejewska on 21.6.

Crawford is now ranked second in the World Cup series with 3100 points; 700 behind China’s Cai Xuetong.

Johnstone and Crawford will compete in the sixth and final event of the World Cup series in Arosa, Switzerland, on 26 March.