Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA)/New South Wales Institute (NSWIS) of Sport athlete Sami Kennedy-Sim made her return to competitive racing from injury this weekend, at the double header Ski Cross World Cup event in Idre Fjall, Sweden.
After placing 24th on Saturday in the first race, Kennedy-Sim backed up on Sunday finishing third in her Eight Final, which saw her take 19th place overall.
After the two events, Kennedy-Sim said she was just pleased to be back competing.
“It has been tough watching from the sidelines, but I am happy with my return to competition,” Kennedy-Sim said.
“Not getting through the Eight Finals both days feels a bit like a kick to the shins, but I am feeling a bit rusty as I haven’t raced since December,” Kennedy-Sim added.
“My body feels ok after the two competitions and I am still having some issues with my leg, but it would be unrealistic to expect to be pain free just yet.”
Fellow OWIA/NSWIS athlete Anton Grimus qualified through the round of 64 heats for the Eight Finals on both days, eventually taking fourth place in each of his races, therefore missing out on a place in the Quarter Finals, with a 30th and 29th overall placing respectively.
Head Coach Shawn Fleming said the last half of the course in particular was straight with lots of jumps and rollers.
“The racing was very tight and exciting, with the most passing I have ever seen,” Fleming said.
“You needed to be perfect to maximise speed and being first was sometimes a disadvantage, as it was easy for athletes to work the draft and build momentum for the pass,” Fleming added.
“Anton’s heats were all close action and with passing, but at the end of the day others used the draft and capitalised on a couple mistakes and were able to beat him to the line.”
IMAGE: Sami Kennedy-Sim after returning on snow at the start of the month © Sami Kennedy-Sim Instagram
After placing 24th on Saturday in the first race, Kennedy-Sim backed up on Sunday finishing third in her Eight Final, which saw her take 19th place overall.
After the two events, Kennedy-Sim said she was just pleased to be back competing.
“It has been tough watching from the sidelines, but I am happy with my return to competition,” Kennedy-Sim said.
“Not getting through the Eight Finals both days feels a bit like a kick to the shins, but I am feeling a bit rusty as I haven’t raced since December,” Kennedy-Sim added.
“My body feels ok after the two competitions and I am still having some issues with my leg, but it would be unrealistic to expect to be pain free just yet.”
Fellow OWIA/NSWIS athlete Anton Grimus qualified through the round of 64 heats for the Eight Finals on both days, eventually taking fourth place in each of his races, therefore missing out on a place in the Quarter Finals, with a 30th and 29th overall placing respectively.
Head Coach Shawn Fleming said the last half of the course in particular was straight with lots of jumps and rollers.
“The racing was very tight and exciting, with the most passing I have ever seen,” Fleming said.
“You needed to be perfect to maximise speed and being first was sometimes a disadvantage, as it was easy for athletes to work the draft and build momentum for the pass,” Fleming added.
“Anton’s heats were all close action and with passing, but at the end of the day others used the draft and capitalised on a couple mistakes and were able to beat him to the line.”
IMAGE: Sami Kennedy-Sim after returning on snow at the start of the month © Sami Kennedy-Sim Instagram
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