Alpine Director Update - February 2024

Dear Alpine Community,

A new year is upon us and 2024 has started out full throttle, with athletes competing around the globe and at many major events this January.

Just last weekend we witnessed history at the men’s World Cup Giant Slalom event in Bansko BUL seeing Harry Laidlaw become the first Australian male to qualify for a second run in World Cup GS. This is an absolute testament to Harry’s unwavering commitment, perseverance and work ethic striving to become one of the world’s best GS skiers. Harry and his team at Global Racing, including Australian coach Hugh Brooks, have created history and we cannot wait to watch the future unfold enroute to the Olympic Winter Games in Cortina-Milano 2026.

See Bansko WC results here: Bansko World Cup Results

We also saw the FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championships take place in Portes du Soleil FRA under quite warm conditions, however organizers provided great race venues. We had 5 athletes representing Australia in Giant Slalom and Slalom: Abbey Evans, Pia Bruce, Joey Steggall, James Kelly, and Kyle McGown. For Joey Steggall this event had an even more special as Joey has grown up training and competing in the Morzine area where the races were held.

See results here: FIS Alpine Skiing Junior World Championships Results

Australian Alpine and Ski Cross athletes were also busy representing the nation at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon Korea. In Alpine, Max Kelly and Arkie Lennon represented Australia in both GS and SL at the HIGH1 Resort along with 60 other nations and a field of 80 athletes both in men and women’s competitions. Over in the Willi Hilli Resort the Ski Cross athletes, Duncan Cowan, Dakota Turner, and Bayley Sadler competed alongside 11 other nations in both Ski Cross and a Team event consisting of one male and one female athlete from each nation. Both venues were world class and offered great winter conditions under blue sky.

See YOG results here: 
Alpine - FIS Alpine Skiing - Gangwon Youth Olympic Games Results
Ski Cross - FIS Ski Cross - Gangwon Youth Olympic Game Results

It has also been busy on the FIS Children’s competition front, we have had athletes competing at Trofeo Borrufa AND, Folgaria ITA, and most recently in Skofja Loka SLO. These events provide valuable experience to our U14 and U16 athletes gaining exposure to international competition and meeting athletes of the same age from across the globe, potentially a future World Cup star in the making!

We are only halfway through the northern winter and already I feel that so much has occurred. That leaves me hopeful and excited for what more may come across all of our different athlete cohorts. For those of you who aren’t overseas, it is only. 16. Weeks until the June long weekend- so that means you can get in TWO cycles of Snow Ready- Snow Australia’s physical training program.

I wish everyone the very best in their training and competitions!

Shawn Fleming
Alpine Director
Snow Australia

Read Full Update

In this edition:

• Laidlaw breaks new ground in Australian GS racing at Bansko World Cup
• Gunew & Jackson score maiden Para Alpine World Cup podium
• April School Holidays activity at the NSTC
• SnowReady
• Snow Live

Image courtesy of Chris Hocking / OWIA