CROSS COUNTRY SKIING: A strong lead-up has Australia’s cross-country team primed for some positive performances at this weekend’s opening World Cup event in Davos, Switzerland.

Jessica Yeaton claimed top spot on the podium in the Sprint at the Swiss Championships, Phil Bellingham put in two top ten performances, also in Switzerland, while Barbara Jezersek finished ninth in a 35km event in Italy.

Now the team turns its attention to taking on the world’s best of whom they’ll be hoping to be lining up against come February at the PyeongChang 2018 Games.

“The Swiss Championships races were a great icebreaker before heading into the World Cups,” Yeaton said following her win.

“The World Cup field is much tougher but it was nice to have some positive racing experience to boost my confidence beforehand.”

Bellingham agrees that last week’s hit out was a positive one and is also ready to get the World Cup season underway.

“I'm feeling good heading into the World Cup this weekend,” he said.

“I feel my fitness is good and my form is heading in the right direction. I'm hoping to step it up another level this weekend.”

Yeaton, Bellingham and Jezersek will be joined by Callum Watson, Paul Kovacs, Aimee Watson and Kat Paul in Davos as they all push towards PyeongChang qualification.

The event kicks off with the Sprint on Saturday before women take on the 10km Free and the men the 15km Free on Sunday. 

Matt Bartolo
olympics.com.au