I am happy to report that the past three weeks of racing
have been extremely successful.
Kicking off the competition season was Thredbo’s famous “Top 2 Bottom” race; a Chinese downhill from, as the title suggests, the top of Thredbo to the bottom. The race starts with a head-to-head sprint for about 60m, skis and poles in hand. Once you reach the first gate, it’s skis on as fast as you possibly can, and a head-to-head downhill race to the bottom. Similar to ski cross but without the jumps! This event is about the only excuse we ex-Alpine now ski cross racers have to put a downhill suit back on! And it feels oh so good….
Sami and I racing Top 2 Bottom at Thredbo for the win...
Australian National Ski Cross Champion, 2013
Kicking off the competition season was Thredbo’s famous “Top 2 Bottom” race; a Chinese downhill from, as the title suggests, the top of Thredbo to the bottom. The race starts with a head-to-head sprint for about 60m, skis and poles in hand. Once you reach the first gate, it’s skis on as fast as you possibly can, and a head-to-head downhill race to the bottom. Similar to ski cross but without the jumps! This event is about the only excuse we ex-Alpine now ski cross racers have to put a downhill suit back on! And it feels oh so good….
I finished the sprint in third, and managed to make two passes
in the downhill part of the race and take out the win.
To witness what the hectic race was like from my
perspective, take a look at the head cam footage….
Sami and I racing Top 2 Bottom at Thredbo for the win... 
To more recent news, the SSA Ski Cross National
Championships were held this weekend at Mount Hotham. The plan was to hold two
races, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. Unfortunately the weather didn’t
quite go to plan…
On Saturday we raced two qualification races. I won both races, securing two qualification wins coming into finals. Today’s double race finals were unfortunately cancelled due to gale force winds, fog and fresh snow. The race was decided on qualification times which makes me National Ski Champion for 2013 which is great. Definitely not the way I would have liked to win; head-to-head competition is always more fun! But I’ll take the win none the less.
On Saturday we raced two qualification races. I won both races, securing two qualification wins coming into finals. Today’s double race finals were unfortunately cancelled due to gale force winds, fog and fresh snow. The race was decided on qualification times which makes me National Ski Champion for 2013 which is great. Definitely not the way I would have liked to win; head-to-head competition is always more fun! But I’ll take the win none the less.
Well done to teammate Sami Kennedy Sim who took third place
is both races.
Quatchi (the Vancouver mascot that now lives on my backpack) took a beating in the wintery Hotham weather!
Australian National Ski Cross Champion, 2013
On Sunday I will travel to New Zealand with the Australian
Ski Cross Team for a four and a half week training camp. We will be based at Mt
Hutt for the first two weeks, then Cardrona for the last two and a half weeks.
Joining us on a ski cross track will be the Canadian Ski Cross team, as well as
the Australian Border Cross team, and a bunch of other athletes.
I am very much looking forward to training on a full-length technical ski cross course. Hopefully it is ideal prep for Sochi!
I am very much looking forward to training on a full-length technical ski cross course. Hopefully it is ideal prep for Sochi!
