Belle returns for her third Olympic campaign and comes into Beijing in great form, sitting fourth on the FIS World Cup ladder after securing a silver and bronze medal in two World Cups this season.

Proud to call Melbourne home, the 29-year-old is hoping to draw on her experience at previous Olympic Games. Her first-hand knowledge of the venue after competing in the Olympic test event in November 2021 should also be an advantage.

"I feel better than ever,” Belle said.

“[At my] first Olympic Games, I was a little bit of a Labrador puppy. [At my] Second Olympic Games, I had an injury, but I’ve had a really good run with the team [this time around] and we’ve done things as best as we could.

“My body feels better than ever, especially the mental side of things. I learnt a lot of things from the (knee) injury and if I went back in time, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

As a veteran of the team, Belle is thrilled Australia boasts a snowboard cross team with so much potential.

"We can all be on the podium, that’s for sure.”

“I’m really excited about this team. It’s really cool to see Josie (Baff) with us, it’s her first Olympics.

“It’s the biggest team we’ve ever put forward and we’re all very strong riders. I’d love to see the whole team on the podium, aim high always.

“I truly believe in these guys and I know any one of them could be on the podium any day.”

For Josie, 19, she has some understanding of what to expect at her first Olympic Games, having represented Australia at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games.

A Jindabyne local, Josie made history when she won gold at the Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympics, Australia’s first ever gold at the Youth Olympic Winter Games.

"It’s really incredible [to be here in Beijing]. Everything kind of spiked after the Youth Olympics,” Josie said.

“Everyone’s so welcoming. They all have a lot of advice to offer me and I really appreciate it. I really feel part of the team.”

It will be a hot field contesting the women’s snowboard cross, with reigning Olympic champion Michela Moioli from Italy among the favourites to win a medal. Recently finishing on top of the podium in the last World Cup prior to the Olympics, Moioli sits third on the World Cup rankings and will be one to watch.

Reigning world champion Charlotte Bankes from Great Britain will be another strong contender, currently ranked number one on the World Cup leaderboard and in strong form.

The women’s snowboard cross gets underway on Wednesday 9 February at 2pm AEDT.

Lauren Ryan

#HaveAGo