Snow Sports NZ athlete Adam Hall (Wānaka) has finished in fifth place overnight at the men’s standing FIS Para Alpine Slalom World Cup finals held in Italy.
Hall said, “I am really happy to have been able to pick up some consistency and keep that going through the 2nd half of my competition season, and finish fourth in the Slalom World Cup standings for 2024.
Hall put down two solid runs through the technical course, showing his talent and experience. The spring temperatures resulted in challenging snow conditions and ruts in the course, with almost half of the athletes unable to complete their first run.
It was a tightly fought race, with 2nd and 7th position separated by less than two seconds. Arthur Bauchet of France took the win, rounding out an impressive season. Robin Cuche of Switzerland finished in second place with Christophe Gloetzner of Germany rounding out the podium in third.
Snow Sports NZ head Para Alpine coach Daniel Bogue explained, “It was great skiing from Adam today, especially his second run. The condition were really tough and it was good to see that what we have been working on is coming through, even in the tougher conditions. That second run, he really laid it down, a good, flawless run from Adam.
Hall has had a consistent season, with five top five finishes at World Cup Slalom races, including a podium secured in Japan earlier in the season.
On reflecting on his season Hall said, “A big shout must go to my amazing family, friends, supporters and of course my team around me in my environment, including the incredible Snow Sports NZ and High Performance Sport NZ cohort who have helped keep me in tip top shape as I finish my 20th season on the World Cup circuit.”
Hall will finish up his Northern Hemisphere season with a two week training block, with his eyes firmly set on the Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games that are just two years away.
9 months ago