Big winter weekend for Australian PyeongChang hopefuls

Courtesy www.owia.org

Forget about the warm weather and summer for the Aussies looking to qualify for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics. It’s all snow and ice in a power-packed few days as World Cups and Grand Prix Final events dominate the icy European sports calendar this weekend.

Kicking off on Thursday night in France are Ski Cross athletes Sami-Kennedy-Sim and Anton Grimus at Val Thorrens who are looking to qualify in the season’s first World Cup in a re-vamped competition schedule that has six World Cups in 15 days.

The always entertaining Moguls World Cups are a physical and technical contest like no other. The OWIA Moguls team have been ensconced in Ruka, Finland, ahead of their assault on their first World Cup just after midnight Sunday (AEDT).

First to hit the bumps in the qualifying rounds is Britt Cox, Australia's first female World Cup medallist in mogul skiing.

World moguls men’s number two Matt Graham, who had a breakthrough with his first career victory last season, and teammate Brodie Summers make it to the starting blocks around 2AM on Sunday morning. All three skiers will be looking to make it to the final 16 and top 6 from 6.30am on Sunday morning.

Australia’s biathlon hopefuls will be on course in Ridnaun, Italy, for the IBU Cup 2 with Youth Olympic Games athlete Darcie Morton and brother Damon combining for the single mixed relay on Thursday evening. The duo will then back up for the sprint event on Friday with Daniel Walker joining them.

In a positive sign for the growth of biathlon in Australia, seven up-and-coming youngsters will take to the snow in Lenzerheide, Switzerland for the Junior IBU Cup 1.