Podium finishes for Summerhayes, Ryding and Coultas, 8th place for Gillings plus Spring Battle action and weekend preview
It has been a busy week for British skiers and snowboarders. Katie Summerhayes was invited to the finals of the SFR Slopestyle Tour in La Clusaz, France which featured many of the Sochi 2014 Ski Slopestyle stars. She put in a solid run to finish 2nd, just half a point away from the winner Kelly Sildaru.
In Alpine skiing, Dave Ryding finished off a fantastic Europa Cup season, taking 3rd place in the final Europa Cup Slalom of the season in Soldeu, Andorra. This secured him 2nd in the overall Europa Cup Slalom standings for the season.
In snowboarding, 16-year old Rowan Coultas stole a double win in the Austrian Snowboard Slopestyle Championships in Westendorf. Rowan dominated in the U18 Rookies category taking the top spot on the podium, but his score was so high he went on to win the Men’s overall category as well. Rowan also competed in the TTR Spring Battle finals today in Flachauwinkl alongside team mate Billy Morgan, where some solid riding saw him make it through to the semi-finals. He unfortunately didn’t make it through to the final, but Billy Morgan did with some impressive riding. The results will be known tomorrow night when judging will take place from the video feed.
In Veysonnaz, Switzerland, Zoe Gillings came an excellent 8th place in the Snowboard Cross World Cup, finishing 2nd in the small final. Stephanie Gehrig failed to make the finals, but Thomas Bankes did, eventually finishing 48th. The bad news for Thomas is that he has injured his knee and won’t take part in the last World Cup of the season in La Molina, Spain which starts tomorrow.
Today Dougie Crawford and TJ Baldwin raced in the Europa Cup Super G in Soldeu. They finished 50th and 53rd respectively. They will compete in another Europa Cup Super G tomorrow and the Downhill on Sunday, both in Soldeu.
Charlie Guest had a good result today in the FIS Slalom in Innerkrems. Guest placed 2nd and scored significant FIS points as a result.
This weekend sees Ski Cross World Cup action for Emily Sarsfield in Are, Sweden. Qualification starts tomorrow with two World Cups finals on Saturday and Sunday. Ed Drake and Pam Thorburn compete in the Arosa Ski Cross Europa Cup races tomorrow and Saturday.
In Aerials, Lloyd Wallace and Elodie Wallace compete in two Europa Cups in Airolo in Switzerland this weekend, taking place on Saturday and Sunday.
Back to Ski Slopestyle, and Joe Hides is competing in the Vogel Europa Cup on Sunday.
For full profiles of all British Ski and Snowboard athletes visit www.teambss.org.uk or the Ski Club of Great Britain website www.skiclub.co.uk/britisheliteathletes. For all FIS schedules and results visit www.fis-ski.com.
