Regional Update - NSW / ACT / QLD - November 28
Published Wed 27 Nov 2019
All the latest on and off snow news for Snow Australia’s NSW, ACT and QLD members.
ALPINE NEWS
NSW/ACT/QLD FIS ALPINE & SKI CROSS UPDATE
The first races of the FIS northern season calendar have begun.
Louis Muhlen-Schulte, 21 years old, competed in his first World Cup Slalom event over the weekend in Levi, Finland. At an event where most competitors have a support team of 3 or 4 people it was a steep, though exciting, learning curve for Louis. Due to an equipment malfunction (broken shin guard), Louis unfortunately was a DNF first run. He now moves on to Funasdalen, Sweden to compete in the Europa Cup (Slalom) next weekend Nov 28/29. Louis will then head back to North America for the Nor Am Lake Louise, Canada (Dec 9-13). Harry Laidlaw will be racing GS in European Cups in the New Year, details to follow.
Other recent major events include:
Alpine
Nov 19 - 22 - Nor Am, Copper Mountain, USA
Henry Heaydon - Day 1, DQ. Day 2, 25th - congratulations on earning some valuable Nor Am points.
Ski Cross
Nov 23 - National Champs Pitztal, Austria
Women - Sami Kennedy Sim - 5th
Men - Congratulations to Robbie Morrison who placed 2nd, Anton Grimus 28th, Doug Crawford 42nd
Nov 24 - European Cup, Pitztal, Austria
Women - Sami Kennedy Sim - 5th
Men - Robbie Morrison 12th, Anton Grimus 29th, Doug Crawford 45th, Lee Rolls 63rd
Ski Cross World Cup events coming up are Val Thorens, France (Dec 5-7), Montafon, Austria (Dec12-14), then Arosa, Italy (Dec 17) before the final race before Christmas … the European Cup, Val Thorens France (Dec 18 - 10). We’ll keep you updated.
Over the season NSW/ACT/QLD FIS Alpine athletes will be competing in major events such as the Youth Olympic Winter Games, Lausane/Les Diablerets Switzerland (Jan 10 - 15), the Alpine Junior World Championships in Narvik, Norway (March 5 - 14) and Ski Cross Junior World Championships, St Lary, France (March 19 - 21) with several hoping to have Europa Cup and Nor Am starts by the end of the season.
Please send us updates/results/info to nswalpine@live.com so we can keep the community up to date on the wonderful achievements and hard work of our alpine and ski cross athletes.
Help us support our athletes with programs, grants and scholarships by visiting our fundraising page
NSW/ACT/QLD (Northern) Alpine Committee
Instagram: nsw_act_qld_alpine
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Para Snowboarder Ben Tudhope claims Young Athlete of the Year with a Disability at the NSW Sport Awards
Tudhope was awarded Young Athlete of the Year with a Disability after a standout season in 2018-19 where he produced some of his best performances yet, claiming the crystal globe in the men's SB-LL2 Banked Slalom and was part of the Australian team to win the overall National title for Para Snowboard 2018/2019 season.
The two-time Paralympian took out Silver in the 2019 World Championships and throughout the season won four gold, two silver and three bronze medals at World Cup events. He also teamed up with Simon Patmore to win the first ever World Para Snowboard team event in April 2019.
On and off-snow, Tudhope is an amazing ambassador for snow sports and goes above and beyond to assist and raise awareness for his charities.
Tudhope is an ambassador for Steptember, through the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, which helps support people living with Cerebral Palsy have a better quality of life.
He is extremely passionate about helping to raise money for his charities, dedicating his off-snow time to appearances, presentations and whatever else he can do to help. His story of overcoming obstacles shines with determination, passion, and positivity, and his extraordinary achievements and experience living with Cerebral Palsy have led him to become a hugely inspiring and motivational speaker.
Tudhope worked as a coach for the Snow Australia Snowboard Cross Futures program in August, and as an athlete mentor at the Snow Australia Para Futures.
At the Australian Ski & Snowboard Awards in May 2019, Tudhope won the Athlete’s Athlete award as voted by his team mates and other snowsports athletes.
Along with his many achievements this year, Tudhope also won the UTS Blues award in 2019, the most prestigious sport award at the University, where he is currently studying a degree in sport management.
Tudhope was unable to attend the ceremony as he is currently overseas competing in his 7th World Cup circuit, where he has already won a silver Wolrd Cup medal in the opening event.
