Australia’s Para athletes unite for the Para Snow Sports World Championships in Lillehammer

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As we celebrate 50 days to go to the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games, Australia’s para ski and snowboarders are in Lillehammer, Norway for the Para Snow Sports World Championships, running 13 - 23 January.

Around 850 athletes from 42 nations will compete in 87 medal events in Lillehammer, with Australia well represented across the Para-Alpine Skiing and Snowboard events.

This is the first time the World Championships of all para snow sports take place at the same time in the same host city. Initially scheduled to take place in February last year, the Worlds was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, but has kept the same name, making Lillehammer 2021 the biggest para sport event to take place in Norway since the 1994 Paralympic Winter Games.

Australia will kick off its World Championships campaign tonight with Men’s Downhill Alpine Skiing - represented by Aussies Sam Tait, Patrick Jensen and Jonty O’Callaghan, who plan to compete in all alpine events over the week.

Mitchell Gourley, Josh Hanlon and Mel Perrine are also in Lillehammer, with Gourley competing in the SG, SG and SL, while Hanlon and Perriene focus on the GS and SL.

PyeongChang 2018 Paralympian Sam Tait said his preparations for the event haven’t been “smooth sailing” but he’s hoping to put that behind him when he lines up for the Downhill tonight.

“We have been in Europe since November training and doing some competitions to get back into the groove of racing. It has been really good to get back on some European mountains and get some speed training in,” he said.

“My preparation for Lillehammer hasn't been smooth sailing, I had a crash in Super G training which put me out for one day and then we have had 2 days of Downhill training where I had another crash.

“My body is feeling okay now, but I am just monitoring it ahead of the competition.

“My goal is the podium of course, although this is all leading up to Beijing and I am focusing on getting closer to the leader and just feeling comfortable going fast again.”

Also in Lillehammer is dual Paralympian Bed Tudhope, competing in the Men’s Snowboard Cross and the Dual Banked Slalom, which is making its World Championship debut.

Tudhope said following last year’s postponement, he’s really looking forward to competing in Lillehammer around athletes from other disciplines.

“I’m very excited to be in Norway for World Champs,” Tudhope said.

“As it was postponed for a year, everyone has trained hard and I’m eager to finally get to race at a major competition again. It’ll definitely be intense and exciting racing in both the new dual banked slalom and boardercross events so I can't wait to show off our sport especially in the lead up to the Games. 

“I have had a pretty good start of the season and I want to keep that momentum going strong. I’m going to push my limits to see how far I can take my riding and I’ll be happy if that lands me on the podium because I’ve trained for this moment.

“This is also the first World Championships in para snow sports history where all disciplines of alpine, snowboard and cross country are together, which to me is a massive progressive step. It raises the stakes with everyone here and the atmosphere around feels like an even bigger competition or another Paralympics!

“I’m super happy to get to see the Aussie skiers because I’m very close with them and can’t wait to watch them smash it in their events. It boosts everyone's spirits before heading to Beijing in under 50 days now.”

Due to the pandemic, this week’s event has been scaled down without crowds in attendance, in a similar approach to Beijing 2022.

However Tudhope said the slack of crowds won’t dampen the vibe and hype surrounding this week’s event as everyone is grateful for the opportunity to compete.

“In the current state the world is in I’m never disappointed about the scaling back of crowds and ceremonies at World Champs and other events, instead I feel so lucky that the events are still running smoothly and not being canceled,” he said.

“We have a job to compete and I’m happy we can still do that!

“Lillehammer and the organisers have put together an unreal event, very safe and professional with some of the biggest and best courses I’ve ever seen.”

The Lillehammer 2021 Para Snow Sports World Championships will be streamed live HERE.

See the full competition schedule, start lists and live results HERE.