PyeongChang preview next for dominant Aussie aerials

AERIAL SKIING: The Australian aerials team will be keen to continue their incredible form this Friday when they compete in the Pyeongchang 2018 Test event at Bokwang Snow Park.

Olympians Lydia Lassila, Danielle Scott, Samantha Wells, Laura Peel and David Morris will descend on South Korea confident they can maintain the standard with all women currently ranked inside the top 11 in the world.

Lassila became the story of the season when she fought through savage weather conditions to take gold at the World Cup event in Deer Valley, Utah on the weekend.

The dual-Olympic medallist shocked everyone as she leapt past American Kiley McKinnon in the final jump of the competition to secure the win.

It was a remarkable result for the 35-year-old who was making only her second competitive appearance since winning bronze at Sochi in 2014.

“To be honest, I was happy to stay on my feet.” Lassila quipped after the result.

As for the aim in Pyeongchang.

“To keep staying on my feet.”

The result moves her up into seventh in the rankings, trailing leader and teammate Danielle Scott.

Caught in a cross-wind in her final jump, Scott fell victim to the weather and finished Deer Valley in 12th.

That result ended an incredible streak of three consecutive podium finishes that had propelled the 26-year-old to the top of the world standings.

The Sochi 2014 Olympian is chasing her second Games appearance and is revelling in her career-best form.

“It has been an amazing start to the season and I am really happy.

“The confidence is there and I hope to get the most out of each experience no matter what the outcome is.”

The female quartet is rounded out by Samantha Wells and Laura Peel, who sit 9th and 11th.

Wells finished third in a World Cup event in December, while Peel has already enjoyed a top-ten result in 2017.

Scott believes the results reflect the hard work being put in behind-the-scenes.

“It is fantastic to see our team doing so well. 

“I think it has a lot to do with our coaches working well together and keeping the team dynamics positive.”

Not to be outdone, sole male competitor David Morris has also excelled in recent months.

The 32-year-old has achieved two top-ten finishes in his last three events, but believes there is more to come.

“As always I'd like to be doing better, I'd like to get myself on the podium.

“I've been close but couldn't finish off the final jump to snare a medal.

“It's been productive so far and that's a positive and I’m just going to keep going and hopefully peak at the right times.”

This weekend’s event provides athletes with the unique opportunity to get a feel for the track they will compete on in 2018.

It is an opportunity Morris says the team will look to take full advantage of.

“It is really important.

“When things are new there's always distractions, and that will all get out of the way for the test event so that next time we return it'll feel more familiar and we'll be able to just get to work because we've done it all before.”

A positive result on the Olympic track would no doubt give the competitors a psychological edge ahead of the Games in 2018. Lassila feels the team is primed to perform.

“Our team feels really focused and strong at the moment and everyone is in a position to do really well.”

Qualification commences on Friday at 3.40pm, with finals to follow at 9pm.  

Article courtesy: Nathan Lange | olympics.com.au