Junior NZ Alpine Ski Racing Team score success at 2009 Whistler Cup

17 April 2009

Wanaka, New Zealand (April 17, 2009) Kiwi Junior Alpine Ski Racers, led by 13 year-old Piera Hudson of Hawkes Bay, are returning home on a high this week after posting top-notch results at the 17th Whistler Cup 2009 Competition in British Columbia, Canada.

Ski Racing New Zealand fielded its largest-ever junior team, with 14 K1 and K2 level (aged between 12 and 15 years old) athletes making up one of the strongest junior teams New Zealand has ever assembled.

Piera Hudson

Four hundred competitors participated in the prestigious North American three-day event attended by 18 Nations and featuring the disciplines of slalom, giant slalom (GS), K1 Kombi and K2 Super G.

Piera Hudson

Hudson, who competes in K1 girls, made New Zealand alpine ski racing history with three top-10 results including sixth in GS, seventh in Kombi and eighth in slalom out of a field of 96, while Wanaka’s Fraser Hannon, 13, wasn’t far behind placing seventh in GS and 12th in the Kombi.

“The level of skill and commitment shown by Piera and Fraser, and others in the New Zealand Junior team bodes well for future international competition,” said Ski Racing New Zealand Chairman, Tony Oxenvad. “To see Piera consistently finish well within the top-10 in all three disciplines against a strong international field demonstrates strong skills and a promising career ahead.”

In challenging snow and weather conditions, teammates were out in force, posting strong results across the group.

Team NZ parading through Whistler Village

Sophie Corser, 12, of Auckland achieved three top-20 results, showcasing the depth and quality of the K1 girls’ team.

Wilbur Coote, 15, of Wanaka completed the GS in 19th position amongst a strong K2 boys’ field, and also accomplished a 25th placing in the Super G.

Ruapehu’s Robbie Armstrong, 15, delivered a fantastic 22nd result in Slalom and 29th in the Super G but did not finish the demanding GS course.

John Knowles, 13, of Auckland, showed his potential as a first year K2 racer with a gutsy 28th place in the slalom.

Emily Wright, 14, of Christchurch, demonstrated her ability in K2 Girls with three top-30 placings, including 26th in slalom, 28th inGS and 29th in Super G, while Ellen Dixon proved herself with a 22nd result in the slalom.

“The solid performance from all of the 2009 NZ Junior team confirmed the breadth of young talent and international competitiveness amongst New Zealand’s junior ski racers,” added Oxnevad.

The 2009 Whistler Cup campaign was managed by John Armstrong and coached by Ardi Bernasconi, Grant Jamieson, Sam Zander and John Armstrong. The team is sponsored by Jucy Rentals.

For more information visit www.fis-ski.com

Snow Sports New Zealand is the official governing body and National Sports Organisation representing all snow sports in New Zealand. Ski Racing New Zealand is a member of Snow Sports New Zealand.         

2009 Whistler Cup Junior Team:

K1 Girls	Piera Hudson Sophie Corser Eliza Grigg
K1 Boys	Fraser Hannon Hamish Walton
K2 Girls	Emily Wright  Ellen Dixon Bronte Marquet Lucy Hannon
K2 Boys	Wilbur Coote  Robbie Armstrong  Fraser McGlinn Jamie Green John Knowles

2009 Whistler Cup NZ Junior Jucy rentals Team Results:

K1 GIRLS GS	Piera Hudson      6 Sophie Corser  13 Eliza Grigg       31		K2 GIRLS SUPER G	Emily Wright     29 Ellen Dixon      31 Lucy Hannon      53 Bronte Marquet   DNF
K1 GIRLS SLALOM	Piera Hudson     8 Sophie Corser    16 Eliza Grigg      DNF		K2 GIRLS GS	Emily Wright     28 Ellen Dixon      44 Bronte Marquet   60 Lucy Hannon      63
K1 GIRLS KOMBI	Piera Hudson     7 Sophie Corser    16 Eliza Grigg      41		K2 GIRLS SLALOM	Ellen Dixon      22 Emily Wright     26 Bronte Marquet   DNF Lucy Hannon      DNF
K1 BOYS GS	Fraser Hannon     7 Hamish Walton  DNF		K2 BOYS SUPER G	Wilbur Coote     25 Robert Armstrong 29 John Knowles     59 Fraser McGlinn   DNF Jamie Green      DNF
K1 BOYS SLALOM	Fraser Hannon    24 Hamish Walton    57		K2 BOYS GS	Wilbur Coote     19 Fraser McGlinn   37 John Knowles     48 Jamie Green      59 Robert Armstrong DNF
K1 BOYS KOMBI	Fraser Hannon    12 Hamish Walton    35		K2 BOYS SLALOM	Robert Armstrong 21 John Knowles     28 Fraser McGlinn   37 Jamie Green      46 Wilbur Coote     DNF

View this article online on www.skiracing.org.nz   and  www.snowsports.co.nz

 

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