Stars of the future stand tall at Interschools

Interschools has long been a breeding ground for athletes to move into their senior careers and that was certainly evident when the Snowboard Cross Division 1 athletes took to the course at the Subaru Australian Interschools Snowsports Championships at Perisher today.

The podiums were filled with athletes embarking on their senior careers including some already in the Snow Australia pathway via the Emerging Talent Program, along with some who represented Australia at the Youth Olympic Winter Games in January.

Lara Walsh (pictured) ended on top of the podium in the Female event, beating home fellow ETP rider Marci Davis-Cook with fellow YOG representative Abbey Wilson in third.

It was only after receiving her gold medal that Walsh realised her Interschools career had come to an end, reflecting on her opponents as friends who she has shared the journey with for a decade.

“I’ve been racing them since Division 5, all the way through,” said Lara. “I’ve loved growing up with Interschools - it’s been massive.

“It’s my favourite thing, progressing from the very bottom of by div to get the the very top is amazing, and I love these girls and riding with them.”

In the Men’s Division 1, ETP riders Robert Jones and William Martin took the top two spots on the podium ahead of Illawarra Grammar’s Michael Murray. Another ETP athlete - Angus Young - was fifth.

Elsewhere today, Youth Winter Olympian and World Junior Championships medallist Ally Hickman swapped tricks for speed to hit to podium in the Female Division 2 Snowboard GS.

Ally led after the first run, and after setting the third fastest time second time through which was good enough for the silver medal.

Image courtesy of IB Images.

You can find all the images captured by IB Images at ibimages.com

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