ALPINE SKIING: Greta Small hoped for a better performance than the one she finished with in the women's downhill, placing 26th in a time of 1:36.53.
Looking to improve on coming 20th in the event at PyeongChang 2018, she was strong in parts but was left to rue a couple of impactful errors.
“Everyone was putting it on the line today and I really tried to risk it to go fast,” Greta said.
“Unfortunately I messed up right at the two critical parts on the course, so I just couldn’t carry the speed.
"[I’m] really happy with my mental attitude. I went up there risking it for the result and unfortunately it didn’t pay off.”
There was always a chance errors would occur as the course has the reputation for being one of the fastest and most difficult in Olympic history. In addition, Greta had to be mindful of the blustery conditions which forced a 30-minute delay to the competition.
Challenges on the course included many blind turns, steep and sun-drenched icy sections, while there were two flat areas covered in shaded grippy snow.
In Greta’s assessment of her performance, she expected to be better but understands setbacks are all part of the alpine skiing experience.
“That’s downhill racing for you. It’s wild, it’s rattly, it’s fast. [I’m] pretty heartbroken with my run today.
“Yesterday in the training run I actually lost a pole up on the steep part when I clipped a gate. Then I ran the whole course without a ski pole and still managed to finish two seconds quicker than I did today.”
“That just shows you the mistakes I made and how much time that cost me.
Greta finished 4.66 seconds off the pace set by gold medal winner Corinne Suter of Switzerland. Despite the result, she has the alpine combined event coming up Thursday on the same course which these lessons will be valuable for.
Her spirits were lifted when Greta was shown a video of a boisterous watch party from back in her small town of Porepunkah, Victoria.
A hometown hero!
— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) February 15, 2022
Greta Small has tons of support at home in Australia cheering her on ahead of her downhill run!#ChasingWinter #AlpineSkiing @7olympics pic.twitter.com/KkcV4ONBBo
“That got me really emotional, seeing that video."
“Just coming from a small country town in Australia and to be out here representing Australia ... it just [goes] to show those kids that just because you come from a small town, [it] doesn’t mean you can’t do things.
“You get out there and chase your dreams.”
Shannon Knaus
#HaveAGo
Alpine Skiing
CAN YOU SKI IN AUSTRALIA?
Yes! There are 10 Ski Resorts in Australia that are easy to access.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Skiing is very affordable to #HaveAGo. You can rent all the equipment you need which is a low-cost way to try snowsports.
WHAT KIT DO I NEED?
All you need to get going is skis, poles, ski boots, a helmet, snow jacket, gloves and pants. All these items can be rented from ski shops to help get you started without having to buy everything for your first time.
