Aussie star James swamped by Japanese snowboard threats

The four-time Olympian is back in action at Secret Garden in Zhangjiakou, China - the scene of his 2022 silver medal behind Hirano.

Bidding to complete his Olympic medal collection with an elusive gold at next year's Games in Italy, 2018 bronze medallist James scored 82.33 to finish second in his heat behind Hirano, who posted a 90.00.

With 14 athletes lining up for the final on Friday, Japan has seven representatives with reigning world champion James the only competitor in the top six who isn't from the Land of the Rising Sun.

His score was the fifth best in qualifying, with Japan dominating the first heat with the four best riders.

Ruka Hirano, who is no relation to Ayumu, won that heat and topped qualification with a score of 90.66, while Ayumu's younger brother Kaishu qualified in eighth spot.

Kiwi Campbell Melville Ives also flew the flag for Oceania, starting the medal round in seventh.

James, 31, this week announced that a Netflix documentary about his life will air on December 19.

Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Pat Dimon, the documentary, called "Pipe Dream", features two decades of his career, including home videos and competition highlights.

Valentino Guseli, Australia's other halfpipe medal contender for the Milan Cortina Games, which get underway on February 6, has opted to compete in the upcoming big air World Cup at Steamboat in the US.

Aiming to qualify for three different Olympic events Guseli, who is on the comeback following knee surgery, just missed the final in the last big air event in Beijing, placing 13th.

Melbourne teen Indra Brown made a stunning World Cup debut on Thursday in the freeski halfpipe, also held at Secret Garden.

The 15-year-old had one of the best scores of the day, with an 85.00, to qualify for Saturday's final in fourth spot, with Olympic champion and hometown hero Eileen Gu on top of the leaderboard.

If she earns selection for the 2026 Games, Brown will be one of Australia's youngest-ever Winter Olympians. 

Meanwhile, Josie Baff will lead the Australian charge at the first snowboard cross World Cup of the season, in Italy's Cervinia, starting December 13 (local time).

Baff, 22, finished last season fourth overall on the standings after three podium finishes and victory in the team event in Erzurum, Turkey.

Baff recently won the European Cup in Pitzal, Austria.

Australia will have a six-person team competing in Cervinia including Baff, Mia Clift, Amber Essex, Cameron Bolton, Jarryd Hughes, and Adam Lambert.

Australian Associated Press