Olympic Winter Institute of Australia athletes Anton Grimus and Sami Kennedy-Sim both started the Ski Cross World Cup season on a positive note by making the finals in Nakiska, Canada, this morning.
After setting the second fastest time in the qualification round, just 3/100th of a second behind the fastest man on the mountain, Grimus finished in 25th place overall while Kennedy-Sim was 16th.
The men’s final was won by Austrian Thomas Zangerl, Sweden’s Victor Oehling was in second and Switzerland’s Armin Niederer took the bronze.
Canadian Marielle Thompson took out the women’s event ahead of compatriot Georgia Simmerling and Switzerland’s Fanny Smith in third.
Unfortunately Grimus was unable to continue his undeniable speed in the qualification round a day early when he was slightly slower out of the gate and was relegated to third place after the first turn.
His trademark speed then kicked in to enable the Australian to challenge for second in a mid-race passing manoeuvre but a clash of skis with another athlete forced Grimus off balance momentarily, pushing him out of contention for a place to progress to the quarter finals.
Much the same was experienced by Kennedy-Sim who was in second place behind Thompson going into the mid-section jumps in the first final on the picturesque 1200 metre Nakiska course.
Frenchwoman Sabbatel Berger and Sanna Lunidi from Switzerland pressured the Australian into a situation she was unable to recover from.
Kennedy-Sim said that she was pleased with her performance in Canada.
“I went into today’s race hoping to improve on my qualifying result but unfortunately I was unable to do that,” she said.
“I’m happy to start the season this way and I’m looking forward to the next race in Innichen.”
Despite the athletes not progressing deeper in the draw, Coach Shawn Fleming was upbeat about the day’s results and is looking towards the season with high optimism.
“We know Anton has speed and he has proven it again,” Fleming said.
“Anton has always had that speed, ever since his first race in 2011. He has always been able to qualify fast. Now it’s a case of minimising the small mistakes and staying within his own race."
“He has shown a lot of progress in that area. He is definitely putting down more consistent races."
“We have spoken a lot about controlling his emotions and controlling his energy levels. He needs to stay within what he can do and not focus on the other athletes.”
Grimus and Kennedy-Sim will head back to their training base in Austria next week before competing in Innichen, Italy, on December 20.
RESULTS;
Women’s World Cup ski cross, Nakiska, Canada
1. Marielle Thompson (CAN), 2. Georgia Simmerling (CAN), 3. Fanny Smith (SUI), 4. Sandra Naeslund (SWE), 5. Anna Holmlund (SWE), 6.Alizee Baron (FRA), 16. Sami Kennedy-Sim (AUS).
Women’s World Cup ski cross standings
1. Marielle Thompson (CAN) 100 points, 2. Georgia Simmerling (CAN) 80 points, 3. Fanny Smith (SUI) 60 points, 4. Sandra Naeslund (SWE) 50 points, 5. Anna Holmlund (SWE) 45 points, 6.Alizee Baron (FRA) 40 points, 16. Sami Kennedy-Sim (AUS) 15 points.
Men’s World Cup ski cross, Nakiska, Canada
1. Thomas Zangerl (AUT), 2. Victor Oehling (AUT), 3. Armin Niederer (SUI), 4.Jonas Devouassoux (FRA), 5. David Duncan (CAN), 6. Andreas Schauer (GER), 25. Anton Grimus (AUS).
Men’s World Cup ski cross standings
1. Thomas Zangerl (AUT) 100 points, 2. Victor Oehling (AUT) 80 points, 3. Armin Niederer (SUI) 60 points, 4.Jonas Devouassoux (FRA) 50 points, 5. David Duncan (CAN) 45 points, 6. Andreas Schauer (GER) 40 points, 25. Anton Grimus (AUS) 6 points.
After setting the second fastest time in the qualification round, just 3/100th of a second behind the fastest man on the mountain, Grimus finished in 25th place overall while Kennedy-Sim was 16th.
The men’s final was won by Austrian Thomas Zangerl, Sweden’s Victor Oehling was in second and Switzerland’s Armin Niederer took the bronze.
Canadian Marielle Thompson took out the women’s event ahead of compatriot Georgia Simmerling and Switzerland’s Fanny Smith in third.
Unfortunately Grimus was unable to continue his undeniable speed in the qualification round a day early when he was slightly slower out of the gate and was relegated to third place after the first turn.
His trademark speed then kicked in to enable the Australian to challenge for second in a mid-race passing manoeuvre but a clash of skis with another athlete forced Grimus off balance momentarily, pushing him out of contention for a place to progress to the quarter finals.
Much the same was experienced by Kennedy-Sim who was in second place behind Thompson going into the mid-section jumps in the first final on the picturesque 1200 metre Nakiska course.
Frenchwoman Sabbatel Berger and Sanna Lunidi from Switzerland pressured the Australian into a situation she was unable to recover from.
Kennedy-Sim said that she was pleased with her performance in Canada.
“I went into today’s race hoping to improve on my qualifying result but unfortunately I was unable to do that,” she said.
“I’m happy to start the season this way and I’m looking forward to the next race in Innichen.”
Despite the athletes not progressing deeper in the draw, Coach Shawn Fleming was upbeat about the day’s results and is looking towards the season with high optimism.
“We know Anton has speed and he has proven it again,” Fleming said.
“Anton has always had that speed, ever since his first race in 2011. He has always been able to qualify fast. Now it’s a case of minimising the small mistakes and staying within his own race."
“He has shown a lot of progress in that area. He is definitely putting down more consistent races."
“We have spoken a lot about controlling his emotions and controlling his energy levels. He needs to stay within what he can do and not focus on the other athletes.”
Grimus and Kennedy-Sim will head back to their training base in Austria next week before competing in Innichen, Italy, on December 20.
RESULTS;
Women’s World Cup ski cross, Nakiska, Canada
1. Marielle Thompson (CAN), 2. Georgia Simmerling (CAN), 3. Fanny Smith (SUI), 4. Sandra Naeslund (SWE), 5. Anna Holmlund (SWE), 6.Alizee Baron (FRA), 16. Sami Kennedy-Sim (AUS).
Women’s World Cup ski cross standings
1. Marielle Thompson (CAN) 100 points, 2. Georgia Simmerling (CAN) 80 points, 3. Fanny Smith (SUI) 60 points, 4. Sandra Naeslund (SWE) 50 points, 5. Anna Holmlund (SWE) 45 points, 6.Alizee Baron (FRA) 40 points, 16. Sami Kennedy-Sim (AUS) 15 points.
Men’s World Cup ski cross, Nakiska, Canada
1. Thomas Zangerl (AUT), 2. Victor Oehling (AUT), 3. Armin Niederer (SUI), 4.Jonas Devouassoux (FRA), 5. David Duncan (CAN), 6. Andreas Schauer (GER), 25. Anton Grimus (AUS).
Men’s World Cup ski cross standings
1. Thomas Zangerl (AUT) 100 points, 2. Victor Oehling (AUT) 80 points, 3. Armin Niederer (SUI) 60 points, 4.Jonas Devouassoux (FRA) 50 points, 5. David Duncan (CAN) 45 points, 6. Andreas Schauer (GER) 40 points, 25. Anton Grimus (AUS) 6 points.
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