Olympian Crawford seventh in Asian Winter Games women’s halfpipe

Olympian Holly Crawford has challenged a world class field and finished seventh in the Sapporo 2017 Asian Winter Games women's halfpipe, held at the Bankei Ski Arena on Saturday.
 
With her attention firmly focused on the upcoming FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships in Sierra Nevada (ESP), Crawford admitted to being in 'preservation' mode and she took a conservative approach to the Asian Winter Games competition.
 
“It was a bit rough in there so I took it a bit easier,” Crawford said.
 
“Obviously it got a bit harder as the snow came through but it’s been really fun, good to be here,” she said. 
 
Crawford's second run in the best of two-round final achieved 60.25 and was stronger than her first run which scored 55.25. 
 
“Was good to get in there and get two runs down because often you don’t, it’s good preparation (for World Championships),” Crawford added. 
 
The three-time Olympian and World Champion has enjoyed her Asian Games experience and was pleased to be part of the Aussie team.
 
“Awesome experience to be here among all the young kids, they’re all really stoked. It’s kind of like a mini-Olympics, really great to be here with the team,” she said.
 
China and host nation Japan filled the top six placings with Chinese athlete Jiayu Liu putting down a 93-point first run to win the competition by a commanding 14.5 points.