The Aerials World Cup season continues today in Minsk, Belarus with the penultimate stop of the season set to be staged at the site of the Olympic Sport Complex Raubichi.

Lydia Lassila, Danielle Scott, Laura Peel, Samantha Wells and Dave Morris have trained through a two-week break before wrapping up the World Cup season in Minsk and then Moscow next week before the World Championships in Sierra Nevada.

According to coach Jeff Bean, the  Flying Kagaroos Aerial skiers are prepped and ready to go.
“The team is doing great,” Bean said.

“We spent five days in Italy at the Australian Olympic Committee’s European training centre, having some down time and time in the gym preparing for the next three weeks of competition and in  preparation for World Championships.”

Olympic Gold and Silver medallist Lydia Lassila took the opportunity for a quick visit home to see her family before heading to Belarus.

“We arrived in Belarus early and were able to get in some training prior to the World Cup this weekend which has served us well as the weather here will be warm this week and we will have limited training,” coach Bean explained.

Samantha Wells, who withdrew from the Olympic test event in Korea as a precaution after sustaining a mild had knock is back in full form. 

“Everyone is healthy and Sam is back jumping. She had a great two days of training in Belarus last week,” the coach said. “We are ready to go for the next few weeks of competition.”

With the chance for aerials World Cup crystal globe still wide open for a couple of athletes, including Australia’s Danielle Scott who is currently second on the overall World Cup table, we can expect all the best athletes to be competing this weekend.  

In the ladies' World Cup standings  China's Xu Mengtao sits on top of the leaderboard with 340 points and an  18 point advantage over Daniele Scott.  Xu has never ranked worse than third in all four of her World Cup appearances this season.

Scott has been consistent this season and was the runner-up for the overall title last year. She will be now trying to regain the yellow bib that she lost two weeks ago in Korea. With one victory and two second places so far Scott will have to once again aim high, as returning to the top of podium means also another change on top of the World Cup ranking.

The Minsk Aerial Skiing World Cup qualifications begin today at 5.10pm (AEDT) with the ladies, followed by men at 7.25pm. The finals will be broadcast live on Eurosport from 9.30pm.  
 
LIVE SCORING: Live brackets for qualifications and the finals will be available HERE:
 

Laura Peel and Danielle Scott have battled through tough conditions to make the six-woman final of the PyeongChang 2018 test event in Korea last night.

Peel and Scott, who now sits second in the World Cup rankings, finished fifth and sixth at the home of next year’s Games with swirling winds disrupting the duo’s final jump and shot at another podium finish.
 
After winning last weekend’s event in Deer Valley, dual Olympic medallist Lydia Lassila finished 17th, Samantha Wells did not start and David Morris claimed 23rd in the men’s event.
 
“It really was a mental game today and the coaches did a really good job to get us ready,” Peel said after scoring 52.52 on her final jump as China claimed a clean sweep of the medals.
 
“I’m happy with how I went I just missed the last one. The goal was to make the last six and go from there so coming off injury I feel I’m getting there.”
 
Scott headed into the event as the world number one and has been jumping exceptionally throughout the season but couldn’t match her earlier season podium efforts in Korea.
 
“I was happy to make the final but I was a bit bummed to not stick the landing on my final jump in tricky conditions,” Scott said after her final jump scored her 52.17.
 
“I’m pretty happy with the start of the season so I’m hoping to stay healthy and keep progressing.”
 
Peel and Scott qualified for the final in second and third when they both put down 87.88 jumps. Lassila bowed out in the qualification after scoring 55.12.
 
Earlier in the week the PyeongChang 2018 countdown clock ticked under one year to go and the chance to compete on the Olympic course will no doubt help the Aussie athletes come next year’s Games.
 
“It’s definitely nice to know what to expect and see what the conditions are like so we know what we are in for next time,” Scott said.
 
The Aussie team will now head to Europe and then to the next World Cup in Minsk, Belarus.

IMAGE: Lydia Lassila in action under lights at the 2018 Olympic Venue © clivejmason

The Flying Kangaroos Aerial skiers will be keen to continue their strong form today when they compete in the Pyeongchang 2018 Test event at Bokwang Snow Park.

Lydia Lassila, Danielle Scott, Samantha Wells, Laura Peel and David Morris hope to maintain their standard when the event begins with qualifying this afternoon at 3.40pm.

Dual Olympic medalist Lassila became the story of the season last weekend when she fought through challenging weather conditions to take gold at the World Cup event in Deer Valley, Utah.

It was a remarkable result for the 35-year-old who was making only her second competitive appearance since winning bronze at Sochi in 2014 and as with Deer Valley, Lydia’s aim is, “to keep staying on my feet.”

“Our team feels really focused and strong at the moment and everyone is in a position to do really well.”

The result moves Lydia into seventh in the overall World Cup rankings.

Team mate Danielle Scott is the current World Cup leader with three podium finishes this season, including two gold.

“It has been an amazing start to the season and I am really happy,” Danielle said.

“The confidence is there and I hope to get the most out of each experience no matter what the outcome is.”

Samantha Wells and Laura Peel are currently ranked 9th and 11th.

Wells finished third in a World Cup event in December, while Peel  - who was the 2015 World Champion has already enjoyed a top-ten result in 2017 after recovering from a serious ankle injury.

Wells believes the results reflect the hard work being put in behind-the-scenes.

“It is fantastic to see our team doing so well. I think it has a lot to do with our coaches working well together and keeping the team dynamics positive.”

Sole male competitor David Morris has also excelled in recent months.

The 32-year-old Sochi silver medalist has achieved two top-ten finishes in his last three events, but believes there is more to come.
“As always I'd like to be doing better, I'd like to get myself on the podium,” he said.  

“I've been close but couldn't finish off the final jump to snare a medal. It's been productive so far and that's a positive and I’m just going to keep going and hopefully peak at the right times.”

This weekend’s event provides athletes with the unique opportunity to get a feel for the venue they will compete on in 2018.

“When things are new there's always distractions, and that will all get out of the way for the test event so that next time we return it'll feel more familiar and we'll be able to just get to work because we've done it all before,” Morris said.
 
The finals will be braodcast live tonight on Eurosport from 9pm (AEDST).

Lydia Lassila’s remarkable return to Aerial Skiing is very much on track for a tilt at a fifth Olympics after her extraordinary World Cup gold medal in Deer Valley, Utah, USA.
 
In only her second event since her Bronze medal in Sochi and the birth of her second child, against the world’s best athletes including VIS teammates Danielle Scott, the world number one, and the current world champion, Laura Peel, Lydia’s expectations were only to keep building throughout the season and improve from week to week.
 
“I was emotional all day and I had a good feeling,” was Lydia Lassila’s first comment after winning Gold. “I couldn’t believe I won.”
 
“To be honest, I was happy to stay on my feet.”
 
The day unfolded with Lydia qualifying fifth and Danielle Scott second and both moving into the Top 12 Final.
 
As the weather worsened and took its toll on the Aerialists, including Scott who was caught in a sudden cross wind as she took off, Lydia fought through to come out on top going into the Super Final and a shot at the podium.
 
“I knew it was tough weather and I kinda like that. I was in a good space all day – and sometimes days like this are good for me because it becomes fight or flight,” Lassila said.

With American Kiley McKinnon scoring an impressive 95.17 in the six-athlete super final and Lydia last to jump, it was tense viewing – wondering if the mother-of-two could lift by almost ten points from the first final to create the upset win that no-one really expected.
 
Performing the same Full Double Full as McKinnon, Lydia executed brilliantly and was awarded accordingly with 95.52 points and a World Cup gold.
 
“This is the feeling that I missed and came back for,” she said. “It’s not the winning so much – it’s being able to do your best, the pure adrenalin and the fun.”
 
“Hopefully we will get a few more mums out there going after what they want. You can have it all – on some days,” the 34-year-old said.

“The team effort with the coaches and athletes, even helping Danielle and I today, is what has made it happen,” Lydia added.
 
Lydia’s return has lifted the Australian Aerial Team and according to team coach Jeff Bean, it’s good for confidence.
 
“I’m ecstatic for Lydia. It’s good for her confidence and motivating for everyone,” Coach Bean said.

With American Kiley McKinnon scoring an impressive 95.17 in the six-athlete super final and Lydia last to jump, it was tense viewing – wondering if the mother-of-two could lift by almost ten points from the first final to create the upset win that no-one really expected.
 
Performing the same Full Double Full as McKinnon, Lydia executed under pressure and was awarded accordingly with 95.52 points and a World Cup gold.
 
“This is the feeling that I missed and came back for,” she said. “It’s not the winning so much – it’s being able to do your best, the pure adrenalin and the fun.”
 
“Hopefully we will get a few more mums out there going after what they want. You can have it all – on some days,” the 34-year-old said.

“The team effort with the coaches and athletes, even helping Danielle and I today, is what has made it happen,” Lydia added.
 
Lydia’s return has lifted the Australian Aerial Team and according to team coach Jeff Bean, it’s good for confidence.
 
“I’m ecstatic for Lydia. It’s good for her confidence and motivating for everyone,” Coach Bean said.

“It’s been tough weather here, which caught Danielle when she got hit by a head wind. Dave Morris has had some small injuries but has had a good building block week here getting the quad twist happening.”
 
For Danielle Scott, the day is bitter sweet after taking a hard fall and scratching her face but still able to retain her yellow bib as the current world number one.
 
“My face is sore. There were some pretty tough conditions out there today,” Danielle said.
 
“The qualifying was great but it was one of the trickiest days we’ve had with snow falling and wind gusts. In the final, the timing on the clock on the run in was fine, but speed wasn’t on my side. I will live and learn.”
 
Dave Morris went after the quad twist again and is making progress as the season continues. He went out in the qualifying in 18th place.

"Disappointing result for me today," Dave said. "I always hope for a spot in finals but I didn't dedicate my takeoff as much as I needed to and the judges weren't too impressed with my legs having to bend in the air. But a safe landing and still in one piece for the rest event in Korea."
 
Coach Bean says time will be good for Morris.

“He’s doing all the right things and there’s a lot of room for him leading into the World Championships,” Coach Jeff Bean advised.

Unfortunately, Samantha Wells and Laura Peel both struggled on landings in the qualifying round and were unable to advance to the final 12..

Olympic Winter Institute CEO Geoff Lipshut is delighted with the continuing success by the Flying Kangaroos Aerial Skiing program.
 
"It is great to see Lydia back in action today and winning,” Mr Lipshut said. 
 
“This was only Lydia's second competition since Sochi - it is important to keep building confidence and to have a podium so soon after such a long break is fantastic. Like everyone in our program we are just thrilled to have Lydia back on the team. She is such an inspiration in so many ways."
 
The next stop on the World Cup calendar is the Olympic test event in Bokwang, Korea on February 10.  

With a couple of weeks to rest and train since the last competition in Lake Placid, the men and ladies of the Aerials World Cup should be ready let fly in Deer Valley starting with the qualifying round on Saturday morning (AEDT) and you can watch the finals live on Eurosport from 2pm in the afternoon. 

Current world ranking leader Danielle Scott who has been on the podium for all three World Cups this season, will be wanting to defend her position.
“The latest training block went well although the warm weather hung around and we lost a few days to that,” Danielle said.
 
“The conditions were frustrating but I was able to keep the ball rolling with my jumping and I’m looking forward to the incredible atmosphere that the Deer Valley World Cup always has to offer.”

Olympic Gold and Bronze medallist Lydia is back, having reached the final six in Lake Placid.
“Training is going Ok. It’s been a tough week as Kai starts school and I'll miss Alek's birthday next week,” said the mum of two. “Otherwise jumping has been fine and I’m looking forward to competing again after a long break between events.”
 
The strong Australian Flying Kangaroos Team is in the enviable position of having every member as a genuine podium finisher on any given day. That is true for Laura Peel who is ready to make it back into the Super Final and said after Lake Placid that the few weeks break between events will be valuable training and a “good time to ‘dial the jumps in a bit’.”
 
World Cup bronze medallist, Samantha Wells also made the final in Lake Placid and is considered the quiet achiever of the group.

For the men, Dave Morris will be chasing the Sochi 2014 Olympic gold medallist Anton Kushnir from Belarus who is riding high atop the leaderboard after three years away from the sport.

Morris is looking stronger and says he “had a good day of training today”.

Deer Valley sees the return of the strong Chinese aerials team after their top squad sat out competition in Lake Placid.

Despite not competing in Lake Placid, Chinese aerialists hold second overall on both the ladies’ and men’s side, with top lady Xu Mengtao and top man Qi Guangpu both owning two previous victories in Deer Valley. 

Also in Deer Valley, members of  the Development Squad are in Deer Valley, watching and learning.