Last weekend saw the return to action for Australia’s top alpine skiers who were competing in World Cup and Europa Cup events in Canada and Europe, respectively.

In cold and icy conditions, Lake Louise (CAN) hosted three women's speed events, with three time Olympian Greta Small competing in two downhill and one super-g.

The weekend was dominated by downhill queen Sofia Goggia of Italy, who scored back-to-back downhill wins, and Suisse skier Corinne Suter, winner of the super-g and twice on the podium in the downhills. Small finished twice in top-40, finishing 40th and 42nd in the two downhill events, and 39th in the super-g.

In Gurgl, Austria, Harry Laidlaw and Louis Muhlen-Schulte were in the starting gate of two Europa Cup giant slalom races, as they continue their preparation ahead of the World Cup events in Val d'Isere, France, later in the month.

Laidlaw finished in the top-ten in the first of the two giant slaloms, just 0.27 from a podium position, scoring 26 Cup points, while Muhlen finished in 33rd position. The second giant slalom event was unlucky for the two Aussies skiers, with both registering DNF results in the first run.

Laidlaw and Muhlen-Schulte will travel to Val d'Isere next, where two technical races are scheduled for the 10-11 December. Laidlaw will compete in the giant slalom, while Muhlen will focus on the slalom.

Article courtesy: Snow Australia

The Men's Giant Slalom kicked off the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season this weekend in Soelden, Austria. Harry Laidlaw proudly represented Australia in an event typically dominated by European and Scandinavian athletes.

The 26-year-old has spent the majority of his time training with his Austrian-based Global Racing team in the northern hemisphere in the run-up to the season opener. 

“My domestic season went really well, I spent most of the southern season in Europe as my team Global Racing is based over here. We were a little nervous at the beginning with how little snow the glaciers had but in the end, we were super lucky with the conditions," Laidlaw said.

“This year I was lucky enough to get more support from my main sponsor Volkl with factory service which has been huge with getting the equipment called for the season.”

For those who wonder why Australian professional alpine skiers prefer to train in the northern hemisphere rather than the southern, Laidlaw compares it to how Australians love their NRL and AFL.

“Training and racing in Austria is a whole different type of energy, the best way to explain it would be like playing AFL or NRL in their major cities," he said "It's their main sport so there is more excitement and enthusiasm around alpine skiing.”

Laidlaw put down a clean first run in Soelden, finishing with a time of 1.03.21 to place 42nd in the World Cup opener, his second best FIS World Cup result. Marco Odermatt of Switzerland won the gold, ahead of Slovenia's Zan Kranjec in second and Norway's Henrik Kristoffersen in third.

Heading into a new season, Laidlaw is encouraged by his new world ranking of 31st which he achieved last season. Furthermore, the alpine skier has won three consecutive North American Cup victories, making him the first Australian Alpine skier to do so.

“Winning back-to-back Norams gives me a lot of confidence going into this season, I've figured out my race day mindset and the headspace I need to be in to do well.”

Looking at the rest of the World cup season ahead Laidlaw has set his sights on moving up the world rankings.

“My goal is to be a real competitor in the World Cup, to be ranked within the top 30 and build off that.”

See all FIS Alpine Soeldon World Cup results HERE

The next FIS World Cup event for the men will be held at Lech / Zuers Austria on the 12th & 13th of November. See the full calendar HERE

Source: snow.org.au

IMAGE - Harry Laidlaw Instagram