Chumpy Pullin’s partner reveals ‘hustle’ to retrieve his sperm hours after he passed away

Alex Pullin’s partner has revealed she is pregnant less than 12 months after the tragic death of her husband in a heartbreaking miracle.

Australian snowboard legend Alex Pullin’s widow Ellidy Vlug has revealed her mad dash to retrieve the sperm from her partner just hours after he died.

Vlug announced on Monday she is pregnant with Pullin’s child less than 12 months following his tragic death.

She posted her joyous, heartbreaking news on Instagram, describing it as a “heart-wrenching plot twist”.

“In the weeks after (his death) I had hoped to god that I was pregnant. I just prayed for this little miracle,” she told 7 News.

“Everyone knew we were trying so hard for a baby and had been trying for ages and had started to talk about IVF.

“Luckily the days after - we’re going to talk about sperm retrieval. Up until 36 hours, I think the legislation is in Queensland, you can actually retrieve sperm from a deceased person’s body.

“We were able to hustle - Chumpy’s parents were in town, everyone was signing court documents, legal documents and dealing with the coroners and the lawyers and the doctors.

“I can’t believe I’m telling this story.”

The Instagram influencer showed off her baby bump in a series of stunning photos posted to her social media page with a description that will bring fans to tears as she continues to grieve her partner’s death.

Pullin drowned while spearfishing on the Gold Coast, believed to have suffered a shallow water blackout at Palm Beach in July, 2020.

Vlug explained her pregnancy miracle is the result of her and Pullin trying to conceive through IVF treatment the same month Pullin died.

Ellidy Vlug sharing her incredible news. Pic: Instagram.

Vlug has been blessed with a baby miracle. Pic: Instagram

“Bubba Chump coming this October,” she wrote on Instagram.

“Your Dad and I have been dreaming of this for years little one.

“With a heart-wrenching plot twist in the middle, I am honoured to finally welcome a piece of the phenomenon that is Chumpy back into this world!

“When my love had this accident, we all held onto hope that I’d pregnant that month. We’d been trying for a baby.

Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin with partner Ellidy Vlug - Photo Supplied Instagram

Confidential races. Ellidy Vlug and Alex Chumpy Pullin. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis.

“IVF was on our cards but it wasn’t something I ever imagined I’d be tackling on our own.

“Bittersweet like none other, I’ve never been more certain or excited about anything in my life.”

Winter Olympics cult hero Pullin was found unresponsive on the ocean floor at an artificial reef by a snorkeller, who called for help from a group of nearby surfers.

The alarm was raised and a lifeguard raced to assist, pulling him from the surf on a jet ski.

Paramedics performed CPR for 45 minutes but the 32-year-old couldn’t be revived.

Snowboarder Alex Pullin carries Australia’s flag during the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.

In 2014 he was Australia’s flag-bearer for the Opening Ceremony in the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Pullin competed at three Winter Olympics and was the first Australian winter sports athlete to defend a World Championship title.

Who is Ellidy Vlug?

Pullin’s girlfriend is a swimwear model from Narrabeen on Sydney’s northern beaches.

The pair had known each other for 10 years through friends but hit it off at a party Aussie surfer Laura Enever hosted.

“We just started talking after meeting there and I called her out for a dance,” Pullin told Buro.

“Heaps old school! Dragged her out on the dance floor.”

Ms Vlug said the couple were good at doing long distance when Pullin was away and she just made sure she kept herself busy.

In February she posted a photo as a bridesmaid at a wedding and said she was wondering when her turn was.

Originally published as Chumpy Pullin’s partner reveals ‘hustle’ to retrieve his sperm hours after he passed away