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Ski Slopestyle course gets the thumbs up

 

Ski Slopestyle course gets the thumbs up

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AOC
Ski Slopestyle course gets the thumbs up

FREESTYLE - SKI SLOPESTYLE: Australian skiers Anna Segal and Russ Henshaw are relishing the thought of chasing historic Olympic medals on one of the most challenging Slopestyle courses they have ever seen.

FREESTYLE - SKI SLOPESTYLE: Australian skiers Anna Segal and Russ Henshaw are relishing the thought of chasing historic Olympic medals on one of the most challenging Slopestyle courses they have ever seen. And this is despite both going into the Games under diminishing injury clouds.

Segal, the 27-year-old 2011 World Champion, inspected the Sochi course - Extreme Park at Rosa Khutor - for the first time on Sunday and was immediately struck by the size of the jumps and the complexity of the course design.

However, the course, which some observers say has the potential of affecting the confidence of many of Segal’s rivals, has left the Australian unfazed.

Segal, who is now focusing on her first training session tomorrow (Monday), said that the challenging nature of the course will in fact work in her favour.

“I think this is an advantage because I’ve had a lot of experience on big jumps and big courses,” Segal said at a media conference this afternoon.

“It’s always daunting to see a new course that is that big but luckily we have five (training) days on the course.

“The first few runs are a bit scary but once you get the speed down, the course just feels natural.”

While the degree of difficulty left an impression on Segal, she was also complimentary on the build standard of the course.

“It seems like all the features are well built,” she said. “The jumps are huge, bigger than any FIS (the International Ski Federation) course.”

Before Segal is cleared to compete in the Slopestyle qualification session and final on February 11, she needs to undergo a medical assessment to answer any doubts about an injury which has significantly restricted her preparations for Sochi.

Australian Team Chef de Mission, Ian Chesterman, is confident that Segal’s injured right knee, which will be assessed on February 10, will be given the all-clear, allowing her to compete in her first Olympic Winter Games.

“It is our full expectation that Anna will be in action,” Chesterman said.

Segal has experienced a frustrating year, having spent most of 2013 rehabilitating her left knee before damaging her right. But in the process she has strengthened her resolve to not only compete in Sochi but also to return to top form.

“The last year has been a difficult one for me,” she said and added “I’m more prepared than I’ve ever been.

“All the mental and physical preparation over the last 12 months for this injury has really prepared me for what is going to happen.” 

Henshaw, who had a heavy crash in training at the X Games last month, shares Segal’s assessment of the course and is also unperturbed by its complexities.

“I wouldn’t say I’m scared,” Henshaw, who won bronze at three World Cups in 2013, told the media conference.

“This course is massive but sometimes big courses are safer because you have more chance to sort yourself out if you mess up a trick.

“From what I have seen, it looks like it is built really well. It should be fun.”

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