Good sections and run from both Delancey British Alpine Women's Ski Team racers Alex Tilley and Charlie Guest saw them finish in the top 15 in the Australian New Zealand Cup race in Coronet Peak ... today (3 September). The race was won by Norwegian World Cup racer Ragnhild Mowinckel with Austrians Stephanie Brunner and Christine Scheyer on the podium with her in this the second of the ANC Cup Giant Slaloms. Tilley had been in fourth place after the first run before having problems on the second run.
Both Tilley and Guest were happy with their performances, knowing that without the mistakes, they could have been closer in. Tilley explained after being asked if she was happy with the overall result, she finished 11th, "reasonably. When I look back on this race today and the first race is treble cone, two unnecessary costly mistakes in the second run have cost me the chance to have significantly lower FIS points, but thinking about only my skiing, I'm really happy with where I am at the moment, and I'm feeling really positive about the coming season."
She then added: "IÂ was really happy with the skiing in my first run today, went from bib 23 into 4th place, then skied well in the second run too, but made a bit of a silly mistake at the bottom of the second run, but we have another GSÂ tomorrow, so hopefully I learn my lesson for that."
Charlie Guest commented: "My first run was good but I made a few mistakes on a couple of crucial gates which cost me a lot of time. The second run was much better with a completely different set which I just went I to with an 'all or nothing approach'. Unfortunately I let myself down a lot with the first run, but did manage to pull back some time in the end." Guest pulled back time on the race winner and impressively she had the joint fourth fastest time on the second run, just 0.16 behind the fastest time. Guest ended up in 15th.
With the ANC Title up for grabs after the next run, Charlie Guest is the defending champion, Guest is looking at the bigger picture: "GS again tomorrow, so here's to hoping for 2 mistake free runs. The skiing is there, but to make points here with this field, 1 mistake is already too much."
With the yellow bib up for grabs Australian Greta Small, Piera Hudson and Mowinckel are all in with a chance of winning it.
Rachelle Rogers was also in the race but missed the flip on the first run after what she felt was a slow first run. After the race she explained: "IÂ was pleased with how I skied on my second run, I just need to cut out the gates where I lose loads of speed, I know I easily lost one second in one bit." Rogers who is also training in Coronet Peak has been really happy with how things have gone: "It's been really good. I've learnt a lot and understand so much more about skiing and racing. finding what works for me to focus on."
Darcie Mead crashed out on the first run.
Laurie Taylor was in the Men's race and placed 31st in a race that was won by Adam Zampa.
Mens Results
Womens Results
Picture of Alex Tilley - Credit Racer Ready - All Rights reserved