New Zealand’s youth freeski and snowboard athletes are itching to get into competition at the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games after strong winds delayed the men’s slopestyle today (overnight NZT).
Snowboarder Mitch Davern as well as freeskiers Luca Harrington, Ben Barclay and Max McDonald are now set to compete in Leysin tomorrow.
The athletes are predicting an impressive showing from some future winter sports stars.
“I’m super excited. There are some big names here from all over the world and the course looks awesome. I’m just hoping to ski my best and hopefully everything just falls into place,” said Barclay.
Teammate Ruby Andrews is recovering well from a heel injury and is hoping to compete in the women’s halfpipe tomorrow.
[embed width="480" height="270" class="leftAlone" thumbnail="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xDfs_5EDZLM/hqdefault.jpg?r"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDfs_5EDZLM[/embed]
Meanwhile flagbearer Campbell Wright competed today in the cross country freestyle sprint.
Wright bowed out in the quarterfinal to finish 22nd overall across the 2k distance.
“I’m really happy with that, biathlon was definitely my focus but it’s great to get some cross-country experience while I’m here,” said Wright.
“Sprint racing is so fun because there’s so many people on the course and everyone’s just giving it everything so I had a really good day.”
Wright will compete in the 10K cross country classic later in the week.
In the mixed nation curling Will Becker has been the only New Zealander to advance through the first round of the knockout competition.
Becker is paired with a Latvian and says he’s enjoyed the format.
“I don’t speak Latvian so luckily she speaks English,” said Becker.
“It definitely has its challenges but it’s cool to compete with someone from a completely different part of the world and see the way they approach the game.”
The curling continues tomorrow.
Speed skater Ethan de Rose is also in action tomorrow in the 500m sprint, while luge athletes Hunter Burke and Ella Cox will compete in the mixed nation relay alongside Chinese Taipei.
Winter Youth Olympic Games coverage is available on Sky Sport.