Queenstown, New Zealand (11 August 2015) – New Zealand ski racers Willis Feasey (Twizel) and Piera Hudson (Hawke’s Bay/Wanaka) continued their winning streak at The New Zealand Alpine National Championships today, claiming national titles in the slalom.
The New Zealand Alpine National Championships & Coronet Cup hosted by Coronet Peak, the official ski area partner of the New Zealand Alpine Ski Team, started on Sunday 9 August with the Giant Slalom, Piera Hudson and Willis Feasey also claiming these titles.
Racers enjoyed clear, cold conditions for today’s slalom held on Coronet Peak’s Outwide run. Defending champ Adam Barwood (Queenstown) posted the fastest time (45.88s) amongst the New Zealand men on the first run with Willis close behind with a first run time of 45.91s.
“I knew I would have to work hard on the second run because Adam can really lay down some spectacular times,” explained Willis.
With Adam also looking to “clean a few things up on the second run” the battle for the national title was on.
Following a course reset the top 30 men started in reverse order, Willis starting one place ahead of Adam and making it down the tight technical course in a time of 44.70s for an overall time of 1:30.61s. Adam followed next and stopped the clock on 44.84s for a combined time of 1:30.72s, just dropping behind Willis.
Marc Gini (SUI) took the overall win on 1:28.31s, Erik Read (CAN) second on 1:29.57s, Simon Steimle (SUI) third on 1:30.25s.
Top placed Kiwi and 2015 National Slalom Champion Willis Feasey placed fourth overall and Adam Barwood fifth. Nick Prebble (Christchurch) was the third fastest of the NZ men and ninth overall with a time of 1:33.61s.
“I’m feeling really comfortable with my skiing right now and was pleased to execute the game plan and win the title today,” said Willis.
In the women’s field, defending NZ slalom champ Piera Hudson looked to be on convincing form to reclaim her title, laying down the fastest first run time amongst the NZ field of 47.55s. The battle for second and third placed Kiwi would be between Eliza Grigg (Christchurch) and Eden McKay (Auckland) with respective first run times of 50.94s and 50.97s.
“I wanted to step things up for the second run,” explains Piera. True to her word Piera upped the game by posting the second fastest overall time for the second run. Her combined time of 1:37.02s put her in fourth place overall and first NZ woman.
“I had two good runs and I’m really happy to claim the title today,” she said. “Two national titles, I couldn’t really ask for more.”
Eden McKay, competing in her first International Ski Federation (FIS) level races this year, had “no real expectations of making the podium today. I just wanted to have two clean runs and knew that if I skied well the results should follow.”
Eden’s second run time of 52.36s would see her finish as second NZ women, just ahead of Eliza.
Sabina Majerczyk (POL) was the fastest women overall on 1:34.73, Maisie Ide (USA) second on 1:36.61s, Carole Bissig (SUI) third on 1:36.70s. Piera Hudson placed fourth overall, Eden McKay 10th, Eliza Grigg 12th.
Full results can be found here http://data.fis-ski.com/alpine-skiing/results.html
Racing continues at Coronet Peak tomorrow (Wednesday) with the Coronet Cup Slalom.
Ends
9 years ago
Piera Hudson,
Willis Feasey,
National Champs,
Slalom