Aussie Teenagers Riding High in Lenk

Three podium finishes and a host of other exciting Australian performances made for a successful FIS snowboard cross event in Lenk, Switzerland last weekend.

Eighteen-year-old Taya-Lilli Dent backed up some strong Europa Cup performances in France at the start of the year to not only qualify for the big final, but held out her opponents to finish on top of the dais.

“I am very pleased with my performance in Lenk, being one of my first few overseas races and coming off a good Australian season,” said Dent. “I am super happy with the way things have been going.

“My seasonal focus is to continue to keep improving my riding whilst gaining experience as we follow the Europa Cup and junior FIS races.”

Compatriot Maya Billingham finished on the podium at two FIS events in Europe last season and started 2023 in similar fashion by claiming third. It was a satisfying result for the seventeen-year-old who was returning to competition following a wrist injury. 

“I was really happy to get on the podium in Lenk, “ said Billingham. “It was really nice to have a different track and some more exposure to some different riders I hadn’t seen in Australia or overseas before.”

Sixteen-year-old Abbey Wilson won the small final to finish fifth while Lara Walsh, 16, was 13th.

In the men’s event, the Australian contingent was up against some experienced campaigners, including the Ukrainian National team which filled the top two spots on the podium, making Will McCarthy’s third place result all the more credible.

The 17-year-old held his own in the big final against opponents up to 11 years his senior to claim his first European podium, while 16-year-old Cameron Turner just missed out on the small final in eleventh place.

“I’m very pleased with the result as there were some hard heats on the day and I put a lot of effort in to achieve the outcome of the race,” said McCarthy. “The racing experience was very enjoyable, it was a fun course, and the snow was fast.”

McCarthy credits the domestic Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin Foundation FIS JNR SBX series with giving him the experience to excel in the northern winter.

“The series helped prepare me for my European racing because it gave me more experience racing in heats,” said McCarthy. “This meant when I came to Europe, I felt prepared and could get straight into it after all the practice from the Australian domestic season.”

The athletes will now turn their attention to remaining FIS events in Europe, as they also focus on qualifying spots for Australia in the Junior Snowboard Cross World Championships and in Italy, at Passo San Pellegrino from 7th March - 1 April 2023.