Para Team reunite at NSTC to start domestic season
Published Fri 21 Jul 2023
Snow Australia’s Para-Snowsport high-performance athletes came together last weekend for their pre-season induction and fitness testing at the National Snowsports Training Centre (NSTC) in Jindabyne.
The occasion marked the first time both the Para Alpine and Para Snowboard athletes have come together since the Snow Australia Awards at the end of the international season.
Experienced Sit Skiers Josh Hanlon and Sam Tait led the Para Alpine charge at the NSTC, joined by Ethan Jackson, who made his World Cup debut last season as Pat Jensen’s sighted guide. Emerging Talent Program (ETP) athlete Georgia Gunew also joined the camp, with her guide Keiraley O’Connor. 
Para Snowboard World Champion Ben Tudhope was back in the gym alongside PyeongChang 2018 Paralympian Sean Pollard, and Para Snowboard Coach Nicki Rodger.
Para Alpine guide Jackson shared how the group were feeling about being reunited and their mutual support for one another.
“It is super exciting to be back with the team, we spend a lot of time together so we are like family now,” Jackson said.
“To have the team around in a testing environment cheering you on makes you push yourself harder”.
The feeling was mutual for teammate Hanlon, sharing that the new additions to the camp were a welcome inclusion.
“It feels great to be back with the team,” Hanlon said. “There are a couple of new faces this time which is super exciting.”
The pre-season induction also marked the first Para team event at the newly opened John Langley Hancock Building at the NSTC, where the team made the most of the expert facilities and brand new strength and conditioning gym.
“This is the first time I have been in the new NSTC building, it's an amazing world-class facility. We are so fortunate to be able to train here,” O’Connor said.
“It is awesome to have a high quality, world-class training environment like the NSTC right next to the snow,” Jackson added.
“It means we can train here in the morning before hitting the snow or once we have finished on the slopes in the afternoon.”
Following their induction weekend, the athletes hit the slopes to dust off the cobwebs in the first on-snow camp of the domestic season. The team will work towards competing at the New Zealand National Championships in Cardrona in mid-September.
