SnowSports ACT held their last official function with the ACT Awards Presentation on 2 November, recognising the achievements of snow sport athletes from the ACT.
It is chance to recognise the top athletes but also developing athletes too, through Perisher and Thredbo Scholarships and Sportsmanship Awards.
Thredbo Scholarships
Adam Hosie, Thredbo Snow Sports General Manager was present to award the 2019 Thredbo Scholarships. Thanks to Thredbo for their generous contribution of providing three scholarships in the form of 2019 Thredbo Season Passes to three very deserving junior athletes:
They all showed a particularly high degree of commitment to their sport and the scholarships provides them with assistance to achieve their snowsports goals.
Perisher Scholarships
Richard Phillips, Perisher Sales and Marketing Manager was present to award the 2019 Perisher Scholarships. This is the fifth year that Perisher has offered ACT scholarships to up and coming junior athletes. The following junior athletes received funding for their 2019 Winter Sports Club Training program:
Each athlete has set goals to achieve their short and long term goals in their chosen snow sport.
Sportsmanship Awards
The following athletes were acknowledged for their diligence in their training and consistency in their competition results. These athletes having continually been developing their snow sports skills:
ATHLETE AWARDS
Athlete of the Year - Laura Peel
Competing on the world stage at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, Laura placed fifth in the Women's Aerials final. In qualifications, Laura moved through to the final two and then progressed to the Super Final to head into the final six as the third ranked athlete. Peel attempted a Back Double Full-Full in the Super Final where she over-rotated and then back-slapped on her landing and placed fifth overall. Laura hit form at the perfect time ahead of the PyeongChang Olympics securing back-to-back bronze medals at the Lake Placid World Cup just weeks out from her second Olympics appearance.
Snowboarder of the Year - Amber Essex
Amber’s first year as a FIS Snowboarder saw a number of excellent results. Amber achieved sixth place in the Snowboard Cross at the ANC in Mt Hotham, third in the Thredbo Junior FIS race and a first place in the Snowboard Cross in division 1 at the Australian Interschools Championships.
Junior Snowboarder of the Year – Chelsee Kelley
Chelsee continued to achieve strong results in 2018, starting with a third in the Snowboard Cross at the US Nationals. Locally this season, Chelsee was first in the Slopestyle and Halfpipe and second in the Snowboard Cross at the Australian Junior Freeride Championships. She was first in the slopestyle at the Thredbo Snow Series and first in the Perisher Parks Showdown. Chelsee is also an SSA Emerging Talent Park and Pipe Scholarship holder.
Junior Freestyle Athlete of the Year - Lily Veleba
Lily has had an excellent season with continued strong results. Lily was third in the Moguls at the Australian Interschools Championships and fifth in the ABOM 14-19yo category. Lily is also an SSA Emerging Talent Moguls Scholarship holder.
Cross Country Skier of the Year - Seve de Campo
Seve moved to Canberra for university this year and has been awarded an ACTAS Scholarship. Seve has been named on the Australian U23 Team and has qualified for both the U23 and Open World Championships for 2019 from his results this season, which includes a third place in the Australian 10km Championships.
Junior Cross Country Skier of the Year – Tuva Bygrave and Heli Laajoki
Tuva has qualified for the Australian Junior Team from her results this season, including a second and third at the Australian Championships in U18 and second in the 21km event of the Kangaroo Hoppet.
Heli Laajoki won both the Australian Junior Champs Sprint and Distance events in U14. Heli was third at the Australian Interschools Championships.
Cross Country Achievement Awards – Bentley Walker Broose and Archie Gordon
Both athletes have qualified for the Australian Junior Team.
Bentley was first in the Australian Championships in the U18 7.5km and second in the sprint, along with many other podium places including first in the NSW Junior Sprints and third at the Australian Interschools Champs.
Archie was third at the Australian Junior Championships in the open sprint.
Alpine Skier of the Year – Isabella Davis
Izzy competed as a first year FIS athlete and completed every FIS race she entered. She raced in the Australian National Championships, where her best result was a fourth in Slalom and fifth in GS. She competed in the Australian New Zealand Cup with a top 15 result. Izzy is named on the NSWACT FIS Junior Team. Earlier in the season, Izzy was first in the Redlands Cup Diviion 2 and Overall Fastest Girl. Izzy was also first at the Australian Interschools Championships in Division 2.
Junior Alpine Skier of the Year – Jacqueline Davis
Jacqueline had excellent results at the SSA Children’s Carnival with an overall third in U16. Her results included a second in SL, third in SL and a third in GS. Jacqueline has been Awarded overall third in NSWACT Alpine and is a member of the U16 NSWACT Alpine Team. Jacqueline was first at the Australian Interschools Championships in Division 3 and third in Skier X.
Alpine Achievement Award – Michael Ouvrier and Abbey Davis
Michael has shown huge improvement this year. His results include overall third U14 Boy in the SSA Children’s Carnival. At the ACT Southern NSW Interschools Div 3 he was: first in Alpine and second in Ski X. Michael has been awarded overall second U14 by NSWACT Alpine and named on the NSWACT Alpine Team
Abbey has had an excellent year. Her results at the SSA Children’s Carnival finishing overall second in U14 Girls with a first in GS in race 1, second in GS race 2, and second in SL. She has also been awarded the overall second in U14 by NSWACT Alpine. Her Interschools results include a fourth at National Interschools and a third in Alpine Division 3 in ACT NSW Interschools. Abbey has also been named to the NSW ACT Alpine Team.
Interschools Achievement Award – Charlotte Williams
Charlotte should be commended for her improvement this season as she placed third in the Alpine and Skier at the ACT-Southern NSW Interschools Championships and then went on to place first in the Alpine and second in the Skier Cross at the Australian Interschools Championships. Charlotte was also first in the ACT Schools Cup.
School of the Year – Canberra Grammar Junior School
After receiving the SSA School of the Year Award in May, CGS went on to enter the highest number of entries from an ACT school into the Act-Southern NSW Interschools Championships. At this event, CGS won 16 team medals and 13 individual medals. At the Australian Interschools Chamionships, CGS placed 2nd in the overall co-ed primary school point score.
Volunteer of the Year – Murray Johnson
Murray has been supporting the CGS snowsports program and the Interschool events over several years. Murray has volunteered during the pre-season for the Snowsports ACT Snowfit to cover sessions to support the coaches. In season, Murray provides support to the XC and Alpine races. He is a keen supporter of the XC Interschools and Biathlon and he has been a team manager, BBQ volunteer and guardian of children so that they can participate in the races. He is the rock of bib administration at Nationals and he supports all athletes with their on-snow needs across the Alpine disciplines.
Coach of the Year - Leanne Laajoki
Leanne coordinated the ACT Cross Country Junior Program throughout the year. She coached the program during training sessions on a voluntary basis, including both rollerski sessions and cross-discipline strength training together with Stella. She initiated and coordinated a trial of AIS Basecamp throughout term two, designing the sessions and assessing components of postural strength. In addition, she took over as Chair of the SSA XC Sport Development sub-committee, and among other projects is coordinating a review of the national race calendar from the perspective of athlete development.
Credit: NSW & ACT Snowsports
It is chance to recognise the top athletes but also developing athletes too, through Perisher and Thredbo Scholarships and Sportsmanship Awards.
Thredbo Scholarships
Adam Hosie, Thredbo Snow Sports General Manager was present to award the 2019 Thredbo Scholarships. Thanks to Thredbo for their generous contribution of providing three scholarships in the form of 2019 Thredbo Season Passes to three very deserving junior athletes:
- Emma Vizard
- Amalie Leslie
- Max Juric
They all showed a particularly high degree of commitment to their sport and the scholarships provides them with assistance to achieve their snowsports goals.
Perisher Scholarships
Richard Phillips, Perisher Sales and Marketing Manager was present to award the 2019 Perisher Scholarships. This is the fifth year that Perisher has offered ACT scholarships to up and coming junior athletes. The following junior athletes received funding for their 2019 Winter Sports Club Training program:
- Bella Rotondo
- Gus Young
- Hugo Thompson
- Ella Veleba
- James Peake
- Catherine Hardman
- Kasey Kelley
- Nellie Byron
- Prases Satias
Each athlete has set goals to achieve their short and long term goals in their chosen snow sport.
Sportsmanship Awards
The following athletes were acknowledged for their diligence in their training and consistency in their competition results. These athletes having continually been developing their snow sports skills:
- Catherine Hardman
- Kasey Kelley
- Nellie Byron
- Prases Satias
ATHLETE AWARDS
Athlete of the Year - Laura Peel
Competing on the world stage at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, Laura placed fifth in the Women's Aerials final. In qualifications, Laura moved through to the final two and then progressed to the Super Final to head into the final six as the third ranked athlete. Peel attempted a Back Double Full-Full in the Super Final where she over-rotated and then back-slapped on her landing and placed fifth overall. Laura hit form at the perfect time ahead of the PyeongChang Olympics securing back-to-back bronze medals at the Lake Placid World Cup just weeks out from her second Olympics appearance.
Snowboarder of the Year - Amber Essex
Amber’s first year as a FIS Snowboarder saw a number of excellent results. Amber achieved sixth place in the Snowboard Cross at the ANC in Mt Hotham, third in the Thredbo Junior FIS race and a first place in the Snowboard Cross in division 1 at the Australian Interschools Championships.
Junior Snowboarder of the Year – Chelsee Kelley
Chelsee continued to achieve strong results in 2018, starting with a third in the Snowboard Cross at the US Nationals. Locally this season, Chelsee was first in the Slopestyle and Halfpipe and second in the Snowboard Cross at the Australian Junior Freeride Championships. She was first in the slopestyle at the Thredbo Snow Series and first in the Perisher Parks Showdown. Chelsee is also an SSA Emerging Talent Park and Pipe Scholarship holder.
Junior Freestyle Athlete of the Year - Lily Veleba
Lily has had an excellent season with continued strong results. Lily was third in the Moguls at the Australian Interschools Championships and fifth in the ABOM 14-19yo category. Lily is also an SSA Emerging Talent Moguls Scholarship holder.
Cross Country Skier of the Year - Seve de Campo
Seve moved to Canberra for university this year and has been awarded an ACTAS Scholarship. Seve has been named on the Australian U23 Team and has qualified for both the U23 and Open World Championships for 2019 from his results this season, which includes a third place in the Australian 10km Championships.
Junior Cross Country Skier of the Year – Tuva Bygrave and Heli Laajoki
Tuva has qualified for the Australian Junior Team from her results this season, including a second and third at the Australian Championships in U18 and second in the 21km event of the Kangaroo Hoppet.
Heli Laajoki won both the Australian Junior Champs Sprint and Distance events in U14. Heli was third at the Australian Interschools Championships.
Cross Country Achievement Awards – Bentley Walker Broose and Archie Gordon
Both athletes have qualified for the Australian Junior Team.
Bentley was first in the Australian Championships in the U18 7.5km and second in the sprint, along with many other podium places including first in the NSW Junior Sprints and third at the Australian Interschools Champs.
Archie was third at the Australian Junior Championships in the open sprint.
Alpine Skier of the Year – Isabella Davis
Izzy competed as a first year FIS athlete and completed every FIS race she entered. She raced in the Australian National Championships, where her best result was a fourth in Slalom and fifth in GS. She competed in the Australian New Zealand Cup with a top 15 result. Izzy is named on the NSWACT FIS Junior Team. Earlier in the season, Izzy was first in the Redlands Cup Diviion 2 and Overall Fastest Girl. Izzy was also first at the Australian Interschools Championships in Division 2.
Junior Alpine Skier of the Year – Jacqueline Davis
Jacqueline had excellent results at the SSA Children’s Carnival with an overall third in U16. Her results included a second in SL, third in SL and a third in GS. Jacqueline has been Awarded overall third in NSWACT Alpine and is a member of the U16 NSWACT Alpine Team. Jacqueline was first at the Australian Interschools Championships in Division 3 and third in Skier X.
Alpine Achievement Award – Michael Ouvrier and Abbey Davis
Michael has shown huge improvement this year. His results include overall third U14 Boy in the SSA Children’s Carnival. At the ACT Southern NSW Interschools Div 3 he was: first in Alpine and second in Ski X. Michael has been awarded overall second U14 by NSWACT Alpine and named on the NSWACT Alpine Team
Abbey has had an excellent year. Her results at the SSA Children’s Carnival finishing overall second in U14 Girls with a first in GS in race 1, second in GS race 2, and second in SL. She has also been awarded the overall second in U14 by NSWACT Alpine. Her Interschools results include a fourth at National Interschools and a third in Alpine Division 3 in ACT NSW Interschools. Abbey has also been named to the NSW ACT Alpine Team.
Interschools Achievement Award – Charlotte Williams
Charlotte should be commended for her improvement this season as she placed third in the Alpine and Skier at the ACT-Southern NSW Interschools Championships and then went on to place first in the Alpine and second in the Skier Cross at the Australian Interschools Championships. Charlotte was also first in the ACT Schools Cup.
School of the Year – Canberra Grammar Junior School
After receiving the SSA School of the Year Award in May, CGS went on to enter the highest number of entries from an ACT school into the Act-Southern NSW Interschools Championships. At this event, CGS won 16 team medals and 13 individual medals. At the Australian Interschools Chamionships, CGS placed 2nd in the overall co-ed primary school point score.
Volunteer of the Year – Murray Johnson
Murray has been supporting the CGS snowsports program and the Interschool events over several years. Murray has volunteered during the pre-season for the Snowsports ACT Snowfit to cover sessions to support the coaches. In season, Murray provides support to the XC and Alpine races. He is a keen supporter of the XC Interschools and Biathlon and he has been a team manager, BBQ volunteer and guardian of children so that they can participate in the races. He is the rock of bib administration at Nationals and he supports all athletes with their on-snow needs across the Alpine disciplines.
Coach of the Year - Leanne Laajoki
Leanne coordinated the ACT Cross Country Junior Program throughout the year. She coached the program during training sessions on a voluntary basis, including both rollerski sessions and cross-discipline strength training together with Stella. She initiated and coordinated a trial of AIS Basecamp throughout term two, designing the sessions and assessing components of postural strength. In addition, she took over as Chair of the SSA XC Sport Development sub-committee, and among other projects is coordinating a review of the national race calendar from the perspective of athlete development.
Credit: NSW & ACT Snowsports
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