Strong skiing on display at Perisher for the AUS XC Open

The weekend saw some intense cross-country skiing racing at Perisher, as the first of the Australian Cross-country National Championships were held in the NSW resort. Unfortunately not all athletes could make it, due to border closures and travel restrictions, but those present really took the opportunity to compete on home soil and made for some really strong skiing.

The weekend kicked off on Saturday with the Sprint distance events. At the end of an long day of competition, Phil Bellingham pipped fellow Olympian Seve De Campo to the line in the 1.2km Men's Freestyle Sprint, with 20-year-old Fedele De Campo rounding up the podium. In the Women's Freestyle Sprint it was Casey Wright to take the win ahead of Zana Evans and Aimee Watson.

Sunday was dedicated to the distance events with the Men racing the 15km and the Women the 10km, both in classic technique. 

The winners from Saturday went for the double, as Casey Wright was once again first through the line ahead of Zana Evans (+1:17)  and Aimee Watson(+2:03). Phil Bellingham took his second win with Seve De Campo 44" behind and Mark Pollock at 1'58".

"We were all pretty happy to finally have a race here in Australia," Phil Bellingham said after his sprint race. "It was great that the organisers could get it off the ground and have it all happening."

The Australian Open Championship events will return on September 4-5 at Falls Creek, with the Classic Sprint and Freestyle 5km/10km distance races, rescheduled from the original July 31/August 1 weekend.

For the full results of the Australian Open Championship event at Perisher click here.

Snow Australia continues to monitor government public health directives. Where possible, and subject to COVID-safe plans, Snow Australia supports the hosting of events for those athletes that are able to attend. Snow Australia recognises that the restriction on movements may preclude some athletes from participating in certain events and potentially distort the intended participant classification. This is balanced against the benefit to those athletes that can attend and the desire to provide competition opportunities following the cancellation of all events last season. Snow Australia will ensure that athletes who are unable to compete this domestic season due to restrictions will not be adversely affected in terms of team selection and program opportunities going forward. Awards may be varied at the discretion of the Board of Snow Australia.