Double aerial podium for Australia in Deer Valley
Published Sat 03 Feb 2024
Courtesy OWIA
Australian aerial skiers Danielle Scott and Abbey Willcox have made it a double podium celebration under lights at the prestigious World Cup event in Deer Valley, USA.
Competing on the Olympic course where Alisa Camplin famously won gold in 2002 and in front of the biggest crowd of the season, Scott was extremely unlucky not to claim victory, finishing with the same score in first place with Winter Vinecki of the USA on 77.90 points, but losing a tiebreak from their form scores (10.3 points to 10.2)
Scott's silver medal was the 18th podium performance of the three-time Olympian's career.
Claiming bronze with her second career podium - which was also in Deer Valley four years ago - was Willcox who scored 76.85 points.
“Pretty happy, it has been an absolutely crazy day with extreme weather, a bit of rain and super soft snow falling, it’s really hard conditions so to walk away with a podium very happy,” said the 33-year-old Scott from NSW, who trains in Brisbane at the Geoff Henke Olympic Winter Training Centre water jump facility.
“It’s so awesome (to have teammate Willcox on the podium), she has worked so hard and it’s well deserved.”
Willcox was proud of her achievement, back to the best form of her career.
“It’s been four years in the making, so happy to back on the podium and such a beautiful night to be jumping in front of everyone in Deer Valley,” said the 27-year-old Willcox, from Brisbane via the NSW Central Coast.
Willcox was also thrilled to match her previous best World Cup finish.
“It’s pretty much an exact repeat of four years ago, it’s so incredible to share the podium with Dani as well, two Aussies on the podium is amazing.”
With three events remaining Scott is ranked second on the World Cup standings on 200 points, trailing Vinecki by 32 points.
Triple Olympian and dual world champion Laura Peel, did not compete in Deer Valley, electing to take a break for the remainder of the competition season to freshen up in advance of 2026 Olympic qualifying commencing next season.
Next on the schedule for the aerial skiers is a double World Cup next weekend in Lac-Beauport, Canada.
