SkiMo Community Update - February 2025
Published Fri 07 Feb 2025
G'day Skimo Enthusiasts,
The Australian SkiMo team has been attacking the ISMF World Cup season, showcasing grit, determination, and a genuine passion for the sport as they put up some amazing results. Having had Aussie athletes competing at all World Cup stops so far, and with a vision towards seeing our full team available for the next few stops, the Australian SkiMo team has gone from strength to strength.
Let's dive into their adventures and achievements of the season so far, then read on below to hear from one of our new representatives, Bastien Missed, from his start to the World Cup season in Andorra and Boi Taull.
Courchevel, France – December 14-15, 2024
The season kicked off in the picturesque setting of historic Courchevel. The first stop of the season saw Phil Bellingham, Innika de Rosa and Ava McCann competing in the Sprint Event. Their participation in the first stop of the season marked a significant milestone, highlighting Australia's growing footprint in the international Skimo arena.
• Phil Bellingham 53rd.
• Innika de Rosa 57th.
• Ava McCann 60th.
Shahdag, Azerbaijan – January 10-13, 2025
Phil Bellingham then ventured to the snowy peaks of Shahdag, which is a new stop on the ISMF World Cup calendar. Phil put together a great race in Sprint and came away with 41st place.
Arinsal, Andorra – January 25-26, 2025
The World Cup then moved to Pyrenees with back-to-back weekends of racing starting in mountainous Andorra. The weekend featured the Individual Race, which was the start of Lara Hamilton and Bastien Missud's World Cup season. For the first time in Arinsal, the Mixed Relay, replaced the Vertical Race and highlighting its significance as an Olympic event. This competition attracted 130 athletes from 25 countries, underscoring the global appeal of Skimo.
Individual Race
• Lara Hamilton 21st.
• Bastien Missud 57th.
Mixed Relay
• Lara Hamilton/Brian Lichi 55th.
Boí Taüll, Spain – February 1-2, 2025
The next stop was only a hop skip and jump over to Boí Taüll which provided a stunning backdrop for the team's next challenge. With the team growing to five representatives tackling both the Sprint and Mixed Relay the team's participation here is a testament to their dedication and the sport's burgeoning popularity.
Of particular note is the amazing results of Phil Bellingham and Lara Hamilton who both put together an amazing weekend across both the Sprint and Mixed Relay setting themselves up for success as they continue to work towards Olympic selection.
Sprint
• Lara Hamilton 44th.
• Ava McCann 50th.
• Phil Bellingham 50th.
• Bastien Missud 77th.
• Brian Lichi 84th.
Looking Ahead: Bormio and Morgins
Excitement is building as the team prepares for the Olympic test event in Bormio, Italy, scheduled for February 21-23, 2025. This event will feature both Sprint and Relay races, offering a glimpse into the future of Skimo at the Olympic Venue for Milano Cortina 2026.
Following Bormio, the team will set their sights on the ISMF Skimo World Championships in Morgins, Switzerland, from March 2-9, 2025. This championship will be a pivotal moment, as all our team come together to compete against the world's best and further cement Australia's place in the Skimo community.
As the snow continues to fall and the season progresses, we eagerly anticipate more thrilling performances from our Australian team.
All the best,
Brian
Brian Lichi
Snow Australia Ski Mountaineering Committee Chair
In this edition:
- Bastien's World Cup Debut
- SkiMo @ Milano Cortina
- One Year to go until Winter Olympic Games in Italy
- SkiMo Membership
