Killington, USA (25 November 2018) – New Zealand ski racer Piera Hudson has achieved a career best performance at her first World Cup of the season, skiing from start bib 59 to finish 26th in the Slalom at the Killington Cup in Vermont, USA.
In World Cup Slalom only the 30 fastest racers from the first run of two qualify – or ‘make the flip’-for run two. Piera is one of only a handful of NZ athletes - including the likes of Chris Wormsley, Fiona Johnson, Simon Wi Rutene, Annelise Coberger and Claudia Riegler – to achieve a top 30 result and score World Cup Slalom points, and the first for 15 years.
“I’m pretty over the moon with today’s result,” says Hudson. “It was tough conditions and visibility but I gave it everything and it paid off. I feel pretty proud to have put New Zealand back on the Alpine World Cup again after so long and I’m excited for the future.”
Competing in front of a crowd of 15,000, racers faced challenging visibility and course conditions. Fog and light mist on the lower portion of the course in the first run contributed to 16 athletes failing to make it to the finish line.
“From the outside it looked like a surprise result but from the way Piera has been training I had a good feeling about today and she’s particularly good in Slalom when the conditions are difficult,” says Coach Jonny Rice. “It’s a great feeling to be part of one of the few New Zealand teams to ever score World Cup points.”
Watch Piera's first run below
Defending Audi FIS World Cup Overall champion Mikaela Shiffrin claimed the win in front of her home crowd.
-Ends-
5 years ago
Piera Hudson,
world cup,
Slalom,
Killington