AERIALS: Australian aerial skiers have opened their Northern Hemisphere season with three podium finishes at a Europa Cup event in Ruka, Finland.

Twenty-three-year old Australian Institute of Sport athlete Danielle Scott was Australia’s best performer by winning the title, ahead of Ukrainian Nadiya Didenko, with fellow AIS skier Laura Peel in third place.

Another AIS scholarship holder Samantha Wells was fourth.

World number two David Morris was also among the medals with a second place, behind Swiss Thomas Lambert and ahead of Christopher Lambert, also from Switzerland.

Fellow Aussies Renee McElduff finished in 13th while Olympic gold medallist Lydia Lassila opted out of the event.

The squad will next compete in Beida Lake, China, their first World Cup competition for the season.