FREESTYLE SKIING: Abi Harrigan hasn't had the easiest road to the Olympic Games, but the 19-year-old is set to make her Olympic debut.
Just two years after competing for Australia at the Youth Winter Olympics, the youngster from Jindabyne will line up in the free ski slopestyle - her pet event.
The women’s free ski slopestyle was scheduled for Sunday 13 February, but heavy snow and poor weather conditions forced the event to be postponed to Monday 14 February.
The extra time for Abi provided an opportunity to fine tune her preparation. Last week she was forced to withdraw from the free ski big air to give herself time to recover from a previous stress fracture to her fibula.
Working with the medical team and coaches has given her the best possible chance to take to the start line and live out her Olympic dream.
While in Beijing Abi has gone out to the slopes to cheer on her teammates, including seeing her fellow Jindabyne locals (Josie Baff, Adam Lambert and Adam Dickson) in the snowboard cross. She got to support school friend Josie Baff through her competition.
Abi is set to line up alongside the host nation’s Eileen Gu, who last week won gold at the inaugural free ski big air competition and is the current world champion in slopestyle.
Also among the field will be defending Olympic champion Sarah Hoefflin from Switzerland who is looking for back-to-back gold medals.
The rescheduled competition for the women’s free ski slopestyle is set to begin from 1pm AEDT on Monday 14 February on Channel 7 or 7plus, with the top 12 athletes going through to the final.
Lauren Ryan
#HaveAGo
Freestyle Skiing
CAN YOU SKI IN AUSTRALIA?
Yes! There are 10 Ski Resorts in Australia that are easy to access.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Skiing is very affordable to #HaveAGo. You can rent all the equipment you need which is a low-cost way to try snowsports.
WHAT KIT DO I NEED?
All you need to get going is skis, poles, ski boots, a helmet, snow jacket, gloves and pants. All these items can be rented from ski shops to help get you started without having to buy everything for your first time.
