Finsko Cup & Adaptive Festival wrap up the Para Snowsports season at Perisher

Para Snowsports wrapped up their season at Perisher in style on September 12-13. With the second annual Finsko’s Cup and the fourth Adaptive Festival bringing a weekend of racing, participation and celebration to Front Valley.

Held in brilliant sunshine and fantastic conditions, the Finsko’s Cup attracted 138 entries, with teams battling it out for the honour of taking home the cup while raising funds to support Para Development Athletes in achieving their goals.

The race is named in honor of Ron Finneron (OAM), the unofficial godfather of adaptive snowsports in Australia and Australia’s first representative at a Paralympic Winter Games.

The ski team competition was won by Madagascar, which finished with a combined time of 50.05 (Julian Susa, Michael Satsias, Lincoln Emans) combining to finish ahead of the Super G's (50.54) and Big Dog Gotta Eat (52.06).

In the snowboard competition, Chalet Sonnenhof (Ayden Brownhill, Micheal South, Francis Odlum, Tai Kirikiri) claimed first place in 67.37, followed by The Milsoms (68.85) and Sugar and Snow Residents (82.32).

Individually, Tiffany Gorman took the honours in the women's ski competition with a time of 24.74, while Julian Susa was the fastest male skier in 24.32.

Charlotte Gorman led the junior women's ski field in 25.80, with Jackson Landon-Smith taking out the junior men's competition in 26.42.

In the women's snowboard, Matilda Milsom finished fastest in 33.77, while Ayden Brownhill topped the men's field with a time of 33.57.

Beyond the racing, the Finsko’s Cup also provided an opportunity for PWSC athletes to experience skiing and racing from a different perspective, with participants trialling adaptive equipment and replicated impairments including outriggers, one-ski skiing, no-arm simulation, limited vision and skiing with a guide.

The experience gave athletes a greater understanding of the challenges and experiences faced by Para athletes, while adding another dimension to a fun and inclusive day on the mountain.

Running alongside the Finsko Cup was Snow Australia’s fourth and final Adaptive Festival of the season, with eight new adaptive snowsport participants taking to the snow to learn to ski and ride.

The smiles across the group highlighted the impact of the program, with participants supported by Disabled Wintersport Australia (DWA), and Adaptive snowsports instructors from Perisher Snowsports. DWA also provided equipment and played a huge part in helping connect newcomers with the adaptive snowsport community.

The weekend provided a fitting finale to the Para Snowsports season, bringing the Perisher community together to race, try something new, make connections and celebrate the inclusive spirit of Snowsports.

Snow Australia thanks Perisher for putting on a fantastic event, everyone who competed and contributed to the Finsko’s Cup, and DWA for its continued support of the Adaptive Festival program.

It was a fantastic way to close the season, and a great reflection of the growing community participation and opportunities across Para Snowsports in Australia.