Australian team announced for Bansko 2021 Alpine Junior World Championships

Snow Australia is pleased to announce three alpine skiers who have been selected to compete at the 2021 FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championships in Bansko, Bulgaria, March 1-10.

Once again more athletes were provided with the opportunity to attend, but were unable to due to the logistical challenges of this northern winter season.

Madison Hoffman, Henry Heaydon and Hugh McAdam were also on the team selected for last year’s edition of the Junior World Championships held in Narvik, Norway, which had to be interrupted due to the escalation of the COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020. 

McAdam didn’t have a chance to compete at all in Norway. Hoffman got a start in the Women’s Giant Slalom, where she finished 29th, and Heaydon managed to place 41st in the Men’s Super-G race before the remainder of the Championships had to be cancelled.
 
This year’s programme in Bansko will be adapted to include three races per gender, a reduced number of participants and a staggered schedule, with genders arriving and leaving in separate waves. 

Men start first, with Heaydon and McAdam competing in all three disciplines on the program: Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super-G. McAdam is still fresh from his first FIS Alpine World Ski Championships experience, where he managed to finish 5th in the qualification race and earn a start in the Cortina 2021 Giant Slalom race. 

He said his goal for Bansko is to focus on being technically solid and strong in the mind. 

“So often this season I’ve gotten a bit too excited on race day and the fundamentals seemed to fall out the window, which is never fast.

“My best skiing comes when I relax, ski smart and go for it,” he said.

Hoffman’s first race won’t be until the 9th March as she will only compete in the technical disciplines. It’s the third participation at a Junior World Championships for Hoffman, who was already on the team in 2019.

Snow Australia Alpine Director Shawn Fleming said he is pleased the three young skiers will have another shot at taking part in the event after last year’s disappointment. 

"Logistically it's been a very difficult season, but we’re positive that Madi, Henry and Hugh will make the most of the opportunity to participate in the Junior World Championships again.

“Henry had some really solid and consistent results in North America earlier this season and Hugh is coming off a 5th place in the qualifying Giant Slalom event at the Cortina 2021 World Championships which should give him confidence moving into the Bankso World Juniors. 

"We're also excited to see how Madison performs, as she has been in Europe over the last month and has had some promising results in Europa Cup. Selection for a Junior World Championships team is always an honour for a young athlete and will provide them with additional, valuable international experience, as they seek to develop their talent and eye a World Cup start in the future," Fleming said.

To minimise health risks, the Junior World Championships will take place without any side events, including opening and closing ceremonies, bib draw in public areas, award ceremonies and without spectators during the races. The Men’s Super-G will get the event underway on Wednesday 3 March.

Australian team for Bansko 2021 Alpine Junior World Championships

• Madison Hoffman - Giant Slalom, Slalom
• Henry Heaydon - Super G, Giant Slalom, Slalom
• Hugh McAdam - Super G, Giant Slalom, Slalom