Louis takes slice of Aussie Alpine history

Words: OWIA / Pics: Imago (Rights Reserved) 

2022 Olympian Louis Muhlen-Schulte has created history, becoming the first Australian male to finish in the top-30 in a World Cup giant slalom race and secure World Cup points after placing 27th in Aspen, USA.

Three Australian alpine ski racers have now advanced to the top-30 second run in the technical events (slalom and giant slalom) this season, with Madi Hoffman 25th in Slalom at Levi, Finland, in November, and Harry Laidlaw qualifying for the second run in 24th place at Bankso, Bulgaria, in mid-February, but unfortunately crashed out in the final sector of the course in the second run recording a "DNF".

Harry Laidlaw was also close to the top-30 in the Aspen race, just missing in 33rd place, with world number one  Marco Odermatt of Switzerland claiming victory.

In the second giant slalom event in Aspen, Muhlen-Schulte almost made it back-to-back top 30's, finishing in 32nd place. Unfortunately Harry Laidlaw was unable to finish his first run. Marco Odermatt also won on day two, making it an incredible twelve straight giant slalom World Cup wins for the Swiss star.

"It's definitely pretty cool to make history for Australia," said the 25-year-old Muhlen-Schulte from Melbourne.

"I hope though that it's just the start and between Harry, myself and all the other Aussies we can really start to put Australia on the map in the world of skiing!"

"I honestly had no idea how many guys were going out first run, I tend to just stick to my game plan and focus on that. So I was pretty surprised, I guess I had a good game plan coming into it."

"It's honestly super cool, watching Madi crush it on the woman's side and then Harry and I starting to put things together on then men's side it's awesome to be a part of and show the world of skiing what Australia can do. It's for sure a long way from where we all started racing Australian championships and small races, but I think it shows how if you stick to your goals and work hard it doesn't matter where you start!"

The next World Cup for Muhlen-Schulte and Laidlaw will be the giant slalom in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, on March 9.