Torah Bright creates Winter Olympic history, becoming first woman to qualify for three snowboard disciplines

TORAH Bright has become the first woman to qualify for three snowboard disciplines at a Winter Olympics.

AUSTRALIA'S Torah Bright has become the first woman to qualify for three snowboard disciplines at a Winter Olympics, having secured a spot in snowboard cross at the Sochi Games.

Bright, a medal contender in the halfpipe and slopestyle events, looked unlikely to make the race discipline after finishing four spots out of qualifying.

Torah Bright in action.

The Olympic field has a maximum of 24 women.

But with several countries handing back their quota spots, Bright snuck into the field.

"I am thrilled and cannot wait to seize my moments in Sochi," said Bright, the halfpipe gold medallist at Vancouver four years ago.

"There has been a lot of travel and a lot of events. But being on this journey has given me so much joy that it's made all the hard work, long days and busy schedule enjoyable and worth it." Bright had modest results to begin with in the race-based snowboard cross event, struggling to get out of qualifying and into the head-to-head competition.

But an eighth place at her last World Cup boosted her ranking and placed her within touching distance of a starting place at the Games before the quota places were sorted out.

Bright will be joined by Belle Brockhoff in the women's event