Begg-Smith qualifies fourth in season opener. | Australian Olympic Committee

Dale Begg-Smith has successfully completed the first step in his comeback from injury, finishing in fourth place in the qualifying round of the season’s first mogul skiing World Cup in Soumi, Finland. The Torino 2006 gold medallist earned 24.07 points from the judges to be the fourth highest qualifier, while AIS/OWI team-mate Ramone Cooper also skied comfortably into the final 16, finishing in tenth place on 22.74 points.

The Torino 2006 gold medallist earned 24.07 points from the judges to just miss a place in the top three, while AIS/OWI team-mate Ramone Cooper also skied comfortably into the final 16, finishing in tenth place on 22.74 points.

Reigning World Cup champion Alexandre Bilodeau of Canada led the qualifying round on 25.02 points, with his compatriot Vincent Marquis in second place on 24.58 points.

Begg-Smith outpointed Bilodeau in the air points, was just shaded in turns by 0.2 of a point, but was 0.75 in his time points.

US skier Nathan Roberts just edged Begg-Smith out of the top three with a 24.09 points score.

Australia’s third competitor, Sam Hall, had a disappointing day, finishing in 55th place on 12.39 points.