Australia’s most loved boardercross athlete, Alex Chumpy Pullin, tragically died today in a spearfishing accident on the Gold Coast and the snow world is mourning.
The 32 year old three time Winter Olympian was a favourite of both team mates and the snow sport community. Known for his annual kids camp at Hotham where he fostered the future of boardercross, his love of the guitar and the surf and his dedication to his sport where he did Australia proud over and over and over again.
He represented Australia three times at the Winter Olympics at Vancouver, Sochi and PyeongChang, and was the flag bearer at Sochi, he won not one but two FIS World Championships, took the first place FIS podium nine times, second place 4 times and third place 7 times. Did we mention the two FIS World Cup Crystal Globes on his mantel? We should have.
The man was simply a legend. Easy going with media, humble in the press pit at FIS and Olympic events, focused on his sport while living his life with vigour. He loved surfing and even had a reggae band.
Alex Chumpy Pullin pre PyeongChang
We caught up with current FIS WC #1, Alex Chumpy Pullin, in Australia before his World Cup season that started well this week. The man, the myth, the legend in his pre PyeongChang competition days.Alex Chumpy Pullin Olympic Winter Institute of Australia Ski & Snowboard Australia Red Bull FIS SNOWBOARD WORLD CUP Hotham Alpine Resort
Posted by Miss Snow It All on Tuesday, 12 December 2017
The 2019/2020 season was already marked as his last as he moved towards retirement, switching up elite competition for coaching the future with the Turn and Burn camps, a Snow Australia athlete pathway.
Now social media is filled with tributes from those who met him on the snow, to fellow Olympians, sports journalists and more.
Tributes pour in on social
I have no words to express the sorrow and shock of you gone too soon ?The world has lost a special soul today. Chumpy,…
Posted by Lydia Lassila on Tuesday, 7 July 2020
Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin was an extraordinary individual who pursued his passions in sport and in life. This loss is tragic to everyone he inspired and loved, including everyone at TeamNSWIS. Our thoughts & condolences are with his family. pic.twitter.com/SWFxTldhl1
— NSW Institute of Sport (@NSWIS) July 8, 2020
The Snow Australia community is shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of triple Olympian, Alex Pullin, who today…
Posted by Snow Australia on Tuesday, 7 July 2020
I can’t believe this terrible news – one of the nicest humans I’ve ever met -very sad news condolences to the friends and family of Alex Chumpy Pullin what a tragedy way to young 2020 can you please be over ??? #RIP https://t.co/WHWMVKvn8f
— Wendell Sailor (@RealBigDell) July 8, 2020
My little boy with #Chumpy at ?@_hotham? last year. Alex loved the kids and was so generous with his time. My deepest sympathy to his relatives and friends and the entire Aussie snowboarding family. What a shocking loss. pic.twitter.com/Uosc80hD81
— Kellie Lazzaro (@kellazzaro) July 8, 2020
Shocked and devastated to hear the news of Chumpy's passing. He was a true champion, a leader and a great mate who…
Posted by Matt Graham on Wednesday, 8 July 2020
Our thoughts are with his family, the snow community, his Winter Olympic team mates and all who were touched by his talent as spectators, team mates, support crew and more.
Rest in peace.
