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Seppe SmitsBelgian snowboarder
Date of Birth: 13.07.1991
Country:  Belgium |
Content:
- Sebbe De Buck: Belgian Snowboard Pioneer
- Competition Debut and Early Success:
- World Cup Debut and First Podiums:
- Continued Podium Success and Olympic Focus:
- World Championship Triumphs and Elite Status:
- X-Games Debut and Consistent Top Finishes:
- Home Victory and Big Air Success:
- Injury and Olympic Setback:
- 2014 Winter Olympics and Narrow Semi-Final Miss:
- Post-Olympic Resurgence:
Sebbe De Buck: Belgian Snowboard Pioneer
Early Life and Introduction to Snowboarding:Born on July 13, 1991, in Westmalle, Sebbe De Buck first stepped onto skis at the tender age of 3. His passion for snowboarding ignited around the age of 8-9, thanks to the influence of his older brother, Anthony.
Competition Debut and Early Success:
Beginning at age 15, De Buck actively participated in snowboarding competitions. In 2007, he made his debut at the European Cup in Saas-Fee, Switzerland, placing 49th in the halfpipe. His breakout performance came in a FIS Race, securing victory in the slopestyle discipline.
World Cup Debut and First Podiums:
The 2008 season marked De Buck's entry into the World Cup circuit. In the following season (2008/09), he achieved two podium finishes: third place in the big air events in Stockholm and Stoneham. These successes were followed by a silver medal in big air at the 2009 World Championships in Kangwonland, South Korea.
Continued Podium Success and Olympic Focus:
In the 2009/10 season, De Buck continued his ascent, finishing second in slopestyle at the Calgary World Cup event. Unable to secure enough qualification points in halfpipe for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, he shifted his focus to big air and slopestyle.
World Championship Triumphs and Elite Status:
At the 2011 World Championships in La Molina, Spain, De Buck showcased his prowess, winning gold in slopestyle and a silver medal in big air. In the 2010/11 World Snowboard Tour, he finished second in big air at events in Munich and Beijing, ultimately placing third in the overall tour standings.
X-Games Debut and Consistent Top Finishes:
The 2011/2012 season saw De Buck earn an invitation to X-Games. He placed fifth in both slopestyle and big air at the prestigious event. In the World Snowboard Tour, he claimed two third-place finishes in slopestyle and finished fourth in the season's slopestyle rankings.
Home Victory and Big Air Success:
In the 2012/13 season, De Buck achieved his first World Cup victory on home soil in Antwerp, winning the big air event. At the X-Games, he secured bronze in big air. His impressive performances earned him the Small Crystal Globe in big air in the 2012/13 World Cup standings.
Injury and Olympic Setback:
In April 2013, De Buck suffered a broken hand during a demonstration in Aspen. The injury hindered his progress in the Olympic season, with top 10 finishes in two World Cup events and fourth and tenth place in big air and slopestyle, respectively, at X-Games.
2014 Winter Olympics and Narrow Semi-Final Miss:
At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, De Buck competed in slopestyle. Despite a solid 91.00 points in his second qualification run, he missed the final by a mere 0.25 points. In the semifinals, he finished a frustrating 0.25 points shy of qualifying for the final again, placing 13th overall.
Post-Olympic Resurgence:
De Buck bounced back from his Olympic disappointment with a victory in the World Cup big air event in Istanbul in the post-Olympic season.
