Judges Expect Spot On
As two Kiwi brothers prepare for competition tonight at the Sochi Olympic Games they are heading the warnings of course
judges who say nothing but perfection will be enough.
Jossi and Beau James wells are taking on the challenging slopestyle course at Extreme Park and have their sights set
high. While training has gone well and softening conditions and ongoing grooming has taken the sting out of the course,
the job ahead of them is nonetheless tough.
“The judges have told us that they are looking for an execution of the tricks that is absolutely spot on and if it’s not
they’ll be deducting quite significantly,” said father and coach Bruce Wells.
“We’ve got to do it well.”
The senior Wells says both boys are in good shape. “Beau has developed a new trick that hopefully we can put in
competition and hopefully, if it all goes to plan, he could make a final. Jossi is skiing really well and feeling pretty
confident that if he can do his run, put his feet down and ski out the bottom of the course with no problems, he could
at least make the finals.”
Heeding judges warnings and taking into account the risky and condition-dependent nature of the sport Wells says it will
not be easy to podium tonight. “Jossi is capable, but it will be tough. Things can change, warm conditions mean holes
can appear in the course and if you land in one it’s game over.
Wells notes that over the seven years Jossi has been competing in X Games he has won just two medals.
“We’ve had successes and we’ve had failures, let’s hope we have success.”