Bronze, silver and gold for Aussie juniors in Whistler Cup
Published Tue 18 Apr 2017
It was a big weekend of alpine racing for Australia's 31 juniors at the Whistler Cup in Canada, including five podiums and a very exciting team event for the under 16s up against the overall winners and top ranked team from Switzerland.
The start of the competition was fraught with soft and cloudy conditions, creating delays for all those racing.
Super G was up first for the under 16 team with Zoe Michael and Thomas Hoffman best performing Aussies on the day; Michael coming 32nd in a field of 87 and Hoffman 15th from 93. Unfortunately Sammie Gaul did not finish though her spirits were up the second day, as she placed 14th in her first run of the GS, followed by 18th position in her second run.
On day three, the Aussies started to find their form. Henry Heaydon, Penelope Hughes and James Huon were stand outs, overcoming soft conditions to each claim podium spots.
Heaydon took third place and a bronze in the under 16s slalom, while Hughes won gold in the women’s under 14 dual slalom and Huon won silver in the men’s under 14 GS.
Sammie Gaul looked promising for a place in the slalom, sitting in fourth place after her first run, unfortunately hooking a tip on second run and losing her ski.
The sun finally came out on the final day of the event, just in time for the under 16 Team Alpine Dual Slalom event, and a very exciting dual.
The Aussies fought back from 11th in the overall rankings to pass several teams and into the semi finals. They lost out the dual to Norway, then were then matched up with #1 ranked Switzerland for the Bronze Medal round. After tying with Switzerland 2-2, the round went to a time differential to break the tie and, unbelievably, the result was still at tie! The Aussies taking equal third with Switzerland for the team slalom event and another podium.
The Australian under 14 team took overall third place and a final bronze to cap off the week. Well done to all!
Overall winning teams in the under 16 were Switzerland first, Norway second and Canada third.
Alexandra Rouse
Ski & Snowboard Australia