Small But Mighty Team Wrap Up Snow Season On A High

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The small but tight-knit Australian Para-alpine and Para-snowboard teams continue to go from strength to strength with encouraging results posted over the 2023/24 snow season which concluded this week.

Australia’s Para Snowsports athletes were often forced to combat adversity due to weather, but ultimately generated strong results ahead of the World Championships next year.

Ben Tudhope led the Australian charge on the Para Snowboard World Cup circuit with fellow World Championship medallist Amanda Reid focused on cycling ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

The Paralympic bronze medallist finished on the podium nine out of ten World Cup starts, across both Banked Slalom and Snowboard Cross.

His World Cup banked slalom season started with a pair of silvers in Landgraaf, Netherlands, then finished with another two banked slalom silvers in Mt Sima, Canada at the World Cup Finals. Those results earned him second on the overall banked slalom standings for the season.

Tudhope also finished second on the snowboard cross standings and second on the Para Snowboard Overall World Cup standings.

Visually-impaired skier Georgia Gunew ‘s performances were undoubtedly the highlight of the Para-alpine season, breaking through for her first-ever World Cup medal.

Gunew’s combination with guide Ethan Jackson continued to develop throughout the season with Gunew and Jackson increasing in confidence against in highly-competitive fields as their season progressed.

Josh Hanlon also had a consistent season in the sitting category, starting the season with a commanding slalom victory at the Liechtenstein National Championships. He finished the World Cup season ranked1 1th overall in men’s sitting category, ninth in slalom and 12th in giant slalom.

Snow Australia Para Teams Manager and Alpine Coach Ali Bombardier said the Aussie Para-alpine team’s last races of the 2023/24 at the USA and CAN National Championships yielded promising results.

“Georgia Gunew and guide Amelia Hodgson took a clean sweep of the Womens VI Category- claiming some National Titles and getting some best-ever FIS point results in GS and SL,” she said.

“Josh Hanlon added the USA and CAN National SL Champion title to his Liechtenstein Championship title (from Dec), and also skied to best FIS point results.

“Sam Tait made a successful return to competition with strong performances, and great FIS point results which secure his rankings looking forward to next season.”

Overall, Bombardier said it had been a successful end to the season for Snow Australia Para-athletes.

“The team is now looking to the domestic winter for training into the lead-up to World Championships 25.”

By Natalie McGarry and Snow Australia

USA and CAN National Championships 2024 Australian Results

USA Nationals SG