Who can rival Australia's Jarryd Hughes for the men's snowboard cross gold medal?

Australia’s Jarryd Hughes is a favourite for the men’s gold medal at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 snowboard cross competition, which take place on 10 February.

In each round, four riders will compete against each other in a thrilling race that combines speed, strategy and nerves. 

While it’s hard to predict the winners in such a notoriously unpredictable sport, there are some riders who have been so consistent over the past four years that they are sure to be in the conversation when it comes to medals.

Australia's Jarryd Hughes has already won an Olympic silver medal at PyeongChang 2018. He will be the only medallist from the last Olympic Games to compete at Beijing 2022 following the retirements of Pierre Vaultier (Olympic champion in 2014 and 2018), and Regino Hernáadez, the bronze medallist four years ago.

"It was an honour to share the podium with you," Hughes had stated back then.

Along with Belle Brockhoff, Hughes forms part of the reigning world champion pairing in the mixed event that will make its debut on 12 February.

His best overall result in the World Cup was fourth in 2014 and his best result this season was a 12th-place finish in the World Cup in Secret Garden, the venue that will host the snowboard cross events at Beijing 2022.

Austria's Alessandro Haemmerle is the favourite in the event having won the last three Crystal Globes. He is currently ranked second in the World Cup standings, with two wins and a second-place finish. One of those victories came in the first stop of the World Cup in Secret Garden, People’s Republic of China.

Haemmerle was the runner up in the 2021 World Championship and a silver medallist in the 2013 Junior Worlds. On both occasions, the winner was Lucas Eguibar. 

Beijin