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Australia's Jenny Owens qualifies both days at the Ski Cross World Cup opener

 

Dec 23, 2009 / 04:15:10 PM


Jenny Owens is finding her form, qualifying top 32 in both World Cup events held in San Candido, Italy this week. These events mark the first World Cups of the Olympic season and witnessed a large turn out, with skiers trying to qualify for the sport's Olympic debut in Vancouver.

"I woke up with a cold the morning of qualifying so things didn't start out well," Owens said after finishing 25th on day one.

"My energy levels were running very low and I just didn't get out of the start fast enough. I had a small collision with one of the French racers and that was the end of the race."

Although clearly disappointed after the first race, Jenny came back on day two, making it all the way through to the quarter finals and finishing in 13th place.

Fellow Aussie Katya Crema just missed a top 32 placing on day one, coming in 34th. Katya did make through qualifying on day two but was unable to improve upon her 32nd place, going out after heat one. Sami Kennedy finished in 48th on day one and 43rd on day two.

Sweden's Anna Holmlund stole the event, winning both days. Ophelle David from Fance also made her way to the podium both days, placing second on day one and third on day two.

In the men's Australia's Scott Kneller made a great opening statement on day one, qualifying in the top 32 and working his way up to place 25th. Day two didn't work out so well for Scott as he just missed out on qualifying, posting a time of 43.95 seconds when he needed a 43.88 seconds or faster to make the cut. Switzerland's Michael Schmid dominated the event, winning on both days.

Stay tuned for the next Skier Cross World Cup to be held in Oberndorf, Austria 5 January 2010.

For complete results click here

To read profiles of Australia's skier cross athletes click here

Words:: Don St.Pierre, Twenty Ten Skiing Commentator
Image:: Getty Images

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