Aussie Trio Striving to Reign in Spain

The 2023 Para Alpine World Ski Championships take place in Espot, Spain from 19-29 January, with three Australian Paralympians set to trip the starting gate in the Pyrenees mountains.

PyeongChang and Beijing representatives Patrick Jensen (visually impaired, with guide Ethan Jackson) and Sam Tait (sitting) will join 2022 Paralympian Josh Hanlon (sitting) in the small but close-knit team.

“We have had great preparation, and they are all looking to ski their best and represent Australia on the world stage,” said Ali Bombardier, Para Alpine Coach. “They have prepared the race hills really well, there is an excellent man-made base on all the race hills, which should provide for great competition surfaces. 

“It is our first time here for an event, and the first time they have hosted an event of this calibre. The weather looks to be a bit of a mixed bag for the 10 days of competition, but we will make the most of it; all of our training in the interesting Aussie conditions have prepared us for everything.”

Hailing from the central west of NSW, sit skier Josh Hanlon has had the busiest campaign of the Australians so far this season and is on an upward trajectory. 
Following on from his sixth place slalom finish at Beijing 2022, Hanlon started the season with two top 10 slalom results at the St Moritz World Cup in December. He carried that form into the new year, and last week at the

Veysonnaz World Cup scored a top five in slalom along with sixth and seventh places in the giant slalom races.

“I'm feeling fairly confident in my skiing and where I'm at right now,” said Hanlon. “After a few good results this season I feel like I can just go out and give it everything I've got. 

“It's definitely exciting to be back at another big event and we're feeling grateful that they've got the venue ready for us to get after it.”

Joining Hanlon in the sitting events is Sam Tait whose best international result came at the 2019 World Championships when he finished sixth in downhill, a feat he is keen to emulate this week in Spain.

“I still remember the 2019 World Championships like it was yesterday,” said Tait. “It was a very technical hill and in the downhill training I had a crash into the nets and then I had to go back up for the actual race.

“I remember thinking before I pushed out of the start, ‘OK Sam, we know where you went wrong in the training run - let's not do that’. I pushed out and had a run of a lifetime.

“I'm super excited to be back on the world stage and I'm feeling very ready to compete in a few days starting with downhill, my favourite event.

“It is always an honour to represent Australia. I love putting on our race suits and feeling like everyone back home is supporting you.”

Coming off three top 10 finishes at last year’s Winter Paralympic Games, visually impaired skier Pat Jensen has already had early-season success with new guide Ethan Jackson.

The pair united in December for their first World Cup at Steinach Am Brenner in Austria, collecting fourth and sixth place finishes in their pair of Super G races.

This will be the duo’s first major Championship as a combination and they are set to compete across all five disciplines.

The 2023 Para Alpine World Championships commences on Thursday 19 January is Espot, Spain with downhill training followed by the speed events over the weekend. Alpine combined is scheduled for Tuesday followed by the technical disciplines.

Watch every event LIVE on https://www.snow.org.au/live/

Full Schedule HERE

Live Timing HERE