UPDATE: The women's aerial qualification was postponed on Sunday due to strong tail winds, poor visibility and heavy snow falls making the speed of the inrun unpredictable and therefore unsafe.
The decision was made by a committee of officials and team coaches.
Qualification has been rescheduled for Monday 14 February, with qualifying beginning at 6pm (AEDT) followed by the final from 10pm AEDT.
FREESTYLE SKIING: The Aussies had a strong final training session on Saturday, but due to adverse weather conditions the women's aerials qualifying rounds were moved from Sunday to Monday 14 February. That means that both the qualifying and finals rounds will take place otoday.
Laura Peel and Danielle Scott spent their training session dialling in their mid-level tricks. Laura and Danielle laid down some super clean triple twisting double backs that could give them the points they need to secure a spot in the final. Earlier in the week they both launched their big tricks, preparing the firepower they need in the later rounds.
Gabi Ash, an Olympic debutant, had a strong training session with clean landings as she focused on perfecting her double twisting double back.
The current no.7 in the world Zhanbota Aldabergenova from Kazakhstan jumped triples but took some big hits in practice, having the wind knocked out of her.
Marion Thenault from the Canadian team had a similar strategy to the Aussies, preferring to back down her degree of difficulty leading into qualification as she was showing triple twisting double backs and focusing on securing a spot.
On Thursday night we saw the USA take out gold at the first ever mixed aerials teams event, which offered an opportunity to witness the firepower of some of the top women in aerial skiing.
The women in both the gold and silver medal teams competed with triple twisting, triple back flips, currently the highest degree of difficulty in the women’s competition and tricks that both Laura and Danielle have in their kit bag.
The clear stand out woman in the teams event was silver medallist and current World Cup leader Xu Mengtao from China, who scored 106.03 and delivered the second highest score for her team.
Xu is in top form, having been on the World Cup podium six times in eight events and consistently jumping a triple twisting triple back.
She’s not the only contender on the Chinese team. Currently ranked no.2 in the world is Fanyu Kong, who didn’t compete in the team’s event but has some solid triples she’s not afraid to use.
Australia is a powerhouse in the aerials having won five medals in the sport through Alisa Camplin-Warner (gold at Salt Lake 2002, bronze at Torino 2006), Lydia Lassila (gold at Vancouver 2010, bronze at Sochi 2014) and David Morris (silver at Sochi 2014).
If you are only going to watch one event in these Games, this is the one to watch.
The qualifying (6pm AEDT) and finals rounds (10pm AEDT) will both take place on Monday 14 February, live on Channel 7 and 7plus.
Jonathan Sweet
#HaveAGo
Freestyle Skiing
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