David Ryding, the reigning Europa Cup Slalom Champion, got his 2013 - 2014 season off to a solid start in the in opening round of the 2013 Australia and New Zealand Cup at Coronet Peak. Ryding, starting just out of the top 15 due to the comp[lex way that the start list is designed, placed sixth in a race won by American David Chodounsky, a raising star of the American World Cup squad. Ryding's training partner of recent weeks, Japan's Akira Sasaki, took second with Adam Zampa from Slovakia in third. ...Â
Chodounsky made the best of his early start (number 3) in the softening spring like snow to create a strong base for a charge to victory. Ryding starting 16, with the slope already deteriorating, was over a second off at the end of the first run yet produced a determined and hard fought second run to close in on the leaders. With the early starters again benefitting from the conditions on the second run, Ryding held his own amongst a start list containing a number of racers that he will be battling it out with this winter on the World and Europa Cup circuits. Sixth place and a score of 14.36 is a solid start to the new season for Ryding.
Ryding felt that he had not executed his gameplan in the race and had been punished for this. If the his fans have high hopes for him this season, Ryding has even higher expectations of himself!
Sadly neither Laurie Taylor or Sam Todd-Saunders, the other British racers in the race were able to finish the first run.
In the girls race, Charlie Guest posted 22nd best time to score a safe 30 point result, but her best Slalom result of the summer. Cara Brown also raced but had a disappointing day. The race was won by Paula Moltzan from America ahead of Michelle Gisin (Switzerland) and Megan McJames (USA).
Full Men's results from FIS
Full Women's results from FIS