Summerhayes Silver Tops British World Cup Weekend
A host of British Ski and Snowboard athletes hit the World Cup circuit over the weekend and it was a podium performance from a 2014 Olympian which took centre stage.
Katie Summerhayes produced her best result in nearly four years to place second at the Ski Slopestyle World Cup in Austria, one of five World Cup events which took place across three continents.
FIS Freestyle Skiing World Cup – Friday 24 to Sunday 26 November – Stubai AUT
Despite weather conditions delaying qualifying on Saturday, Isabel Atkin (5th) and Summerhayes (6th) performed strongly to book their places in the final while Madi Rowlands skied well into 17th place overall.
Summerhayes, whose last World Cup podium came 1408 days before in Gstaad, Switzerland sent down a fantastic second run to score 77.00, just three points adrift of winner Jennie-Lee Burmansson (SWE). Caroline Claire (USA) rounded out the podium with Atkin finishing seventh.
“It’s been a tough couple of years, but I am so happy to have come back and that my skiing feels the best it has ever felt,” said Summerhayes. “I can’t thank [Head Ski Coach] Pat [Sharples] and everyone at GB Park and Pipe enough for all the support.”
Chris McCormick (36th), Tyler Harding (43rd) and Mike Rowlands (46th) skied well in their qualification on Friday but failed to reach the final in a highly competitive field.
FIS Alpine World Cup – Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 November
Ladies’ Giant Slalom/Slalom at Killington USA
Men’s Downhill/Super G at Lake Louise CAN
Mixed results for the British Alpine Ski Team at the World Cup events in North America.
On Saturday, Alex Tilley produced one of her best-ever races to be in ninth after the first run of the Giant Slalom in Killington, USA. She ended up finishing 21st overall, which equalled her second-best World Cup Giant Slalom result. On Sunday, Tilley was amongst almost a quarter of the field which failed to finish their first Slalom run.
FIS Cross Country World Cup – Friday 24 to Sunday 26 November – Ruka FIN
Andrew Musgrave overcame a fall on Saturday to finish 28th overall at the Cross Country World Cup in Ruka.
Musgrave started Sunday’s 15km Pursuit Free in 39th but produced the 16th-best time of the day to move up 11 places. Callum Smith finished the three-day event in 78th position.
“Skied most of today's pursuit on my own, so 16th stage time and moving up 11 places in the overall wasn't too bad,” said Musgrave. “Hopefully [I] will stay on my feet and start getting some decent results in Lillehammer next week.”
Annika Taylor was the best of the British ladies in 77th overall.
FIS Alpine World Cup – Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 November
Ladies’ Giant Slalom/Slalom at Killington USA
Men’s Downhill/Super G at Lake Louise CAN
Mixed results for the Delancey British Alpine Ski Team at the World Cup events in North America.
On Saturday, Alex Tilley produced one of her best-ever races to be in ninth after the first run of the Giant Slalom in Killington, USA. She ended up finishing 21st overall, which equalled her second-best World Cup Giant Slalom result. On Sunday, Tilley was amongst almost a quarter of the field which failed to finish their first Slalom run.
At Lake Louise in Canada, Jack Gower made his World Cup debut in Saturday’s Downhill, finishing 67th. Sunday’s Super G saw Gower make a lucky escape after a spectacular crash into the nets. Fortunately he was quickly waving to fans and officials and was able to safely ski to the bottom of the course.
FIS Snowboard Big Air World Cup – Friday 24 to Saturday 25 November – Beijing CHN
Matt McCormick was the sole member of the GB Park and Pipe team to contest the Snowboard Big Air World Cup in Beijing.
Unfortunately McCormick was unable to reproduce the form which earned him a top 20 at the season opener in Milan, finishing 35th.
Ski Cross Europa Cup – Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 November – Pitztal AUT
Emily Sarsfield was the standout performer of the British Ski Cross team at the Europa Cup in Austria.
After placing 12th in Saturday’s race, Sarsfield was equally impressive on Sunday when she finished 15th.
The British Ski Cross team will now commence final preparations before a pre-Christmas flurry which will feature World Cups in four countries between 7 and 22 December for the Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup Cross Alps Tour
