Oh what a night at Deer Valley under lights this evening as Australia’s aerial women’s team made FIS World Cup history with gold, silver and bronze plus fourth in the super final of six.
After a challenging week of warm weather and tricky snow conditions, the international aerial teams were given only one training session before today’s event. This afternoon’s qualifications were rescheduled to this morning and then cancelled all together as a snow storm took hold.
The aerial skiers were then given a revised schedule with the 18 female competitors competing in one giant final with the top six going through to the super final. Abbey Willcox jumped first, with two bronze medals at past Deer Valley FIS World Cup events under her belt, she scored 82.53 with a back full full, leading the charge for the Australian team.
Danielle Scott scored 79.38 and Airleigh Frigo 78.12, both with back full fulls, taking the top three positions.
Yellow bib holder, Laura Peel, then came in with another back full full to take the lead with 87.88 securing the top four places for the super final and guaranteeing Australia at least one podium place.
Conditions were tricky for the competitors with powder snow continuing to fall throughout with dropping temperatures.
Tasia Tanner from the USA jumped first in the super final, crashing on her landing and scoring 20.01, followed by Ukraine’s Anhelina Brykina with 51.34. All the Australians had to do was land each of their jumps and we were in the running for a podium clean sweep.
Airleigh Frigo landed with a 69.30 followed by Danielle Scott with 86.31 and Abbey Willcox with 81.58. At this stage the crowd knew Australia had created history, it was just a matter of which three would be gold, silver and bronze, with Laura Peel still to jump.
Laura landed an 87.57 taking gold (her third in three events), Danielle Scott silver and Abbey Willcox bronze. History was made as Australia’s most successful winter sports podium ever.
Let’s just say the celebrations were palpable as all four women formed a group hug and fellow Australia team members descended upon the history makers.
Video interview to come.
