Australian ski cross athlete Katya Crema achieved a World Cup career best sixth place in Telluride, USA, today.

The 24-year-old Australian Institute of Sport skier qualified with the sixth fastest time, before going on to record a second place in the quarter finals and a fourth in the semi-finals, which earned her a spot in the consolation final for the second time in her World Cup career. 

Crema raced aggressively in the consolation final to finish strongly in second place, one position higher than her other consolation final appearance in France last January.

Swiss ace Fanny Smith was the overall winner, notching her second victory in as many rounds of the new season, ahead of old-time rival Ophelie David from France and Swede Anna Holmlund in third. The podium places were exactly the same as the opening round in Nakiska, Canada, last weekend.

Australia’s World Cup medallist Jenny Owens fought back from a disappointing start to the season by improving her first round result by 13 places, to finish 11th overall in Telluride.

Teammate Sami Kennedy-Sim also showed definite improvements to the opening round when she finished 23rd, seven places higher than in Canada.

In the men’s event, Australia’s number one Scott Kneller was eighth fastest in qualifying, showing speed that was carried through to the first of the knock-out finals. 

Kneller won his first heat but could manage only third in the quarter finals, giving him an 11th place overall.

However, the AIS / NSWIS scholarship holder who trains at NSW’s Thredbo and Perisher resorts will be encouraged by his best World Cup result since January 2011, having missed most of last season with a hand injury.

Anton Grimus was unable to repeat the form that gave him his first World Cup podium finish in Canada, finishing the Telluride event in 18th.

The men’s event was won by Slovakian Filip Flisar, Canadian Brady Leman finished in the silver medal position and Switzerland’s Armin Niederer in third.

The ski cross World Cup now has a Christmas-New Year break until January 18 when the tour moves to Val Thorens in France.

World Cup action continues at Telluride tomorrow with the final of the snowboard cross. 

Australian athletes have figured strongly in qualifying results with Alex “Chumpy” Pullin, Cam Bolton, Jarryd Hughes and Andy Fischer all qualifying in the top 32.

Australian snowboard halfpipe athlete Nate Johnstone added to the list of finalists when he was seventh in qualifying for the iON Mountain Championships in Breckenridge, Colorado.

 

Results –  World Cup women’s ski cross, Telluride, USA
1. Fanny Smith (SUI), 2. Ophelie David (FRA), 3. Anna Holmlund (SWE), 4. Kelsey Serwa (CAN), 5. Marte Hoeie Gjefsen (NOR), 6. Katya Crema (AUS), 11. Jenny Owens (AUS), 23. Sami Kenny-Sim

Results –  World Cup men’s ski cross, Telluride, USA
1. Filip Flisar (SLO), Brady Leman (CAN), 3. Armin Niederer (SUI), 4. Jean Federic Chapuis (FRA), 5. Jouni Pellinen (FIN), 6. Alex Fiva (SUI), 11. Scott Kneller (AUS), 18. Anton Grimus (AUS)

OWIA