Australian three-time Paralympian Ben Tudhope has highlighted his dominant season by claiming the para-snowboard cross and para-snowboard World Cup crystal globes as overall champion.

It was a massive campaign for the 23-year-old, who picked up five gold, three silver and one bronze medal across five World Cup rounds.

With the para-snowboard world championships in Spain less than a week away, it puts Tudhope in a strong position as he looks to cap off the international season with yet more success.

Tudhope claimed silver in the dual banked slalom in the World Cup event at Passo San Pellegrino, Italy, after earlier in the week taking the gold medal in the para-snowboard cross at the same venue.

“To stand on every single podium in the border cross this season is an absolute honour because it’s tough racing,” said Tudhope, who won a bronze medal in the snowboard cross SB-LL2 classification at last year’s Beijing Paralympic Winter Games.

“There’s a lot of people out here that are pushing the limit and pushing my limit, so to still be on top is absolutely incredible.

“It sets me up well for my goal at world champs. I’m just enjoying the ride and truly loving snowboarding because that’s the main thing it’s about.”

Tudhope said he enjoyed the challenge of the snowboard cross course in Italy.

“The race in San Pellegrino was pretty good … we have had some courses that have only been 30 to 40 seconds, so it’s nice to get a course that’s over a minute longer and do some really good heats,” he said.

“I wasn’t feeling amazing … and I didn’t nail the start all day, which was really annoying me. But then finally I pulled it together in the final and got one of the best starts that I’ve had all week.”

AAP

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