Ski racing is never a constant. You can go from one type of condition and then the next different conditions. Add into the equation a change of equipment over the summer and you have a real juggling situation. Luca Carrick-Smith finished off the Mount Hutt series of races with a tremendous third place in a. quality slalom in the ANC Series.
After the race, his mother, Olympian Emma Carrick-Anderson explained: "Craziest toughest conditions. The gs were a powder field and the slaloms went to holes. It's August so early but it's good to get these first races in. Luca fought like crazy and that's going to be key for him. Good to get a few starts in before the season in Europe and it's great to know what we need to develop. With a change of equipment after so many years there is still some tweaking to do."
Luca and his brother Zak have made the switch to Van Deer while Freddy has remained with long time supporters Dynastar. Learning how the new skis feel in different conditions is something that requires time on the skis in all conditions.
With Freddy having finished fifth in the Slalom as well, this was a really positive performance.
Emma continues: "Weather looks bad this Week unfortunately but we hope to get something. We just need training on all conditions to really get a feel for the new equipment."
With all three racers chipping away at their FIS points, the fact that none of the brothers had ANC Cup points meant that they started further back than they would have liked given the conditions outlined by Emma. "Late start numbers as we had no ANC points were a huge disadvantage but Luca and Freddy will have better starts in the next races."
With the FIS points all being adjusted this season, Luca scored a promising 26.36 compared to his 24.73 that is on the board at the moment. He currently has a ranking of 122 in the world.
For Freddy, he scored a better FIS point result in finishing 8th in the first race but is still fractionally behind the points he has on the board. Freddy is 85 in the World at the moment.
Toby Jennings placed 26th, scoring more ANC points. None of the other British racers finished the first run.
The Carrick-Smiths took the decision, like many of the racers who are on an upward trajectory, to head to New Zealand this summer. "You have to bring your A-game to the first Europa Cups and World Cups, which kick off in October and November. For this reason, like all the World Cup teams, we felt it was necessary to head to the Southern Hemisphere to prepare and compete on a level playing field." With this in mind, the team will stay in New Zealand and compete in the Coronet Peak races in early September, hopefully two more GS races and two more slalom races.
ANC Results
20 August Mount Hutt Slalom
21 August Mount Hutt Slalom