Aussie aerial skiing gold and silver in Finland
Published Sat 11 Dec 2021
Australia has recorded an amazing double podium performance, with Danielle Scott and Laura Peel taking home gold and silver at the aerial skiing World Cup event in Ruka, Finland.
The last time Australia recorded a double podium was four years ago in Lake Placid, USA, when Lydia Lassila and Laura Peel won medals in back-to-back World Cup events.
In a one jump competition, Scott scored a near perfect 102.93 points for her double full-full jump, a triple twisting double back somersault, to record the fifth World Cup victory of her career.
2021 World and World Cup Champion Peel performed a full-tuck-full, double twisting triple back somersault, scoring 99.37 points to finish in second place.
Rounding out the podium in third place was Mengtao Xu of China with a score of 98.28 points.
“Walking away with the gold today feels pretty amazing” said Scott, the 31-year-old double World Championship medallist.
“It’s been a bit of a slow, but good build to the season, I started doing triple back somersaults last week, but decided to compete double somersaults today.
“I have cracked the 100 point mark before on a triple twisting double, so I thought that would be my goal for today and ended up walking away with the win, which I am so incredible happy with.
“To have a teammate on the podium is pretty special, we have a pretty awesome team dynamic right now, and it’s even sweeter I guess.
“I spent lots of hours training at the Geoff Henke Olympic Winter Training Centre water jump at Brisbane’s Sleeman Sports Centre, which I am super grateful for, so it’s nice when hard work pays off. “
Also in action for Australia was Abbey Willcox, who recorded her best result of the season, finishing in 11th, with Airleigh Frigo in a personal best 19th place and Gabi Ash in 34th.
After four events, Danielle Scott is sitting in fourth place on the World Cup standings, with Laura Peel in fifth.
The aerial skiing World Cup tour will resume in the new year, with the next event taking place in Le Relais, Canada, on January 5.
