Para-Alpine Team make World Cup return in Austria

Australia’s best Para-Alpine Skiers are currently in Steinach Am Brenner, Austria for the first World Cup of the season.

For Aussies Mitchell Gourley, Sam Tait, Patrick Jensen, Jonty O’Callaghan and Josh Hanlon, it’s their first competition in almost two years after missing out on last season’s World Cup due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This week marked an important milestone for 2017 World Champion Gourley as his return to the sport since getting injured in the men’s downhill race at the 2019 World Para Alpine Skiing World Championships.

“I’ve always stayed in touch with ski racing, but I definitely took some planned time out after that 2019 injury,” Gourley told World Para Alpine Skiing.

“At first that was meant to be just one year to work and complete my masters, but the pandemic turned it into over two years away. I also knew that the one-year break might turn out to be a retirement, but I learnt a lot working in ‘real jobs’ over these two, three years and I’m excited to be back ski racing in Europe.

“Mentally, I think I’ve learned to have more perspective,” Gourley said. “I’m a lot more grateful for all the opportunities that ski racing brings me and I’m determined to enjoy and savour them on this last lap.”
 

The three-time Paralympian was the best placed Australian in the Men’s Standing Super-G races earlier in the week, placing 14th in both SG races.

His fellow teammate O’Callaghan placed 27th and 25th respectively in the Standing SG, Jenson with his guide Amelia Hodgson placed 8th in both SG races, and Tait placed 14th in his first Men’s Sitting SG race, but unfortunately did not finish the second race.

O’Callaghan, Jensen and Tait will all line up again in the Giant Slalom races on Friday (after Thursday's first GS event was cancelled due to weather), alongside Hanlon who was given a wild card spot in the GS. Follow the results HERE.