Australian Riders Sweep Early Southern Hemisphere Snowboard Cross Standings

The release of the first International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) points list for the 2026/2027 season this July confirms what the winter sports world learned in February: Australia is the new epicenter of snowboard cross.[1]

Fresh off a historic 2025/2026 campaign that saw the national team shatter records at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics and the World Cup, the Australian squad is currently dominating the early Southern Hemisphere standings.[2]

In the Australia New Zealand Cup (ANC) rankings—the premier winter circuit for the Southern Hemisphere—the green and gold have locked out the top spots across both the men's and women's leaderboards.[1]

Adam Lambert currently sits atop the men's ANC standings with 260 points, holding a comfortable margin over compatriots James Johnstone (230 points) and Cameron Bolton (185 points).[1]

The 28-year-old from Jindabyne is riding a massive wave of momentum after a career-best Northern Hemisphere winter. In March, Lambert secured a thrilling victory at the World Cup finale in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada, utilizing his renowned drafting skills to cement his second-place global ranking.

On the women's side, 23-year-old Josie Baff anchors the top of the ANC leaderboard, followed closely by rising Australian stars Mia Clift and Maya Billingham.[1]

Baff's position at the summit is a continuation of her dream year. In February 2026, she made history by winning Australia's first-ever Olympic gold medal in women's snowboard cross at the Livigno Snow Park during the Milano-Cortina Games.[2][3]

Her Olympic triumph—where she executed superb overtaking maneuvers to hold off Czech legend Eva Adamczykova and Italian favorite Michela Moioli—sparked a surge of momentum for the entire Australian winter sports program.[3]

For the athletes, the July FIS points update and the ongoing ANC circuit are crucial stepping stones. The Southern Hemisphere races allow riders to test new equipment, refine their race tactics, and secure vital start quotas for the upcoming World Cup season.[1]

The depth of the Australian roster, evident in the ANC standings, highlights a robust development pipeline. With veterans like Lambert and Bolton pushing younger riders like Johnstone and Clift, the internal competition is elevating the entire squad.[3]

As the Southern Hemisphere winter hits its peak in August, international competitors from Europe and North America will increasingly travel to Australia and New Zealand to challenge the local favorites, setting the stage for high-stakes racing at resorts like Mt. Hotham.[1]

For now, however, the July standings reflect a clear reality: the road to snowboard cross supremacy currently runs straight through the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales.[3]