In a busy weekend for British Ski and Snowboard athletes, there were many strong performances in World Cup competitions, FIS races and the North Face Park and Pipe event in Colorado.
The best performance of the weekend was undoubtedly from Snowboard Cross Racer Zoe Gillings who finished 5th in the World Cup in Montafon, Austria. Qualifying in 16th place for the finals, Zoe showed impressive racing skills in each of her heats putting her many years of racing experience to excellent use and progressing through to the big final where she finished in 5th place overall against a World Class field.
Zoe commented after the race, "Fifth was a solid start to this Olympic season, obviously I would have liked to have medalled but I am happy none the less. I'm really looking forward to the next race in Lake Louise, Canada in two weeks' time."
In the cross country racing Sochi hopeful Posy Musgrave came 9th in the 5km freestyle sprint, giving her 64.26 FIS points. She is also now in the top 100 world rankings, meaning at present she is within the parameters to meet Olympic Qualifying Standards. In the World Cup in Lillehammer Andrew Musgrave finished in 58th and Andrew Young 74th in the 15km race.
Over in Canada, the Ski Cross racers braved freezing temperatures to race in the Ski Cross World Cup in Nakiska. Emily Sarsfield had the best result finishing 24th. Unfortunately Pam Thorburn, Ed Drake and Pete Whelan didn't make the finals.
For the Alpine skiers TJ Baldwin took part in the DH and Super G in the World Cup in Beaver Creek this weekend finishing in 65th and 50th respectively.
In Colorado some of the freestyle skiers were competing in the North Face Park and Pipe competition. Em Lonsdale finished 11th overall and Rowan Cheshire 14th overall in the halfpipe finals. Murray Buchan finished in 15th in the men's halfpipe competition. Unfortunately one of Sochi hopefuls and promising skier Pete Speight had a fall and injured his collar bone. We are wishing him a speedy recovery.
For full profiles of all British Ski and Snowboard athletes visit www.teambss.org.uk