Sport Inclusion Australia is pleased to announce the selection of the Australian Alpine Ski team to contest the Virtus Alpine Skiing World Championships in Zakopane, Poland from 2-8 March 2024.
The team of seven skiers is the largest Australian team to contest the Virtus Skiing World Championships.
“We are very excited to announce the Australian team to compete in Zakopane next year. Working closely with Multiclass Sports Association, Disabled Winter Sport and Snow Australia has enabled us to select a team of seven skiers, our largest team yet.” said Sport Inclusion Australia CEO Robyn Smith.
Laura Flynn and Alex Cherny competed at the 2023 Virtus Skiing World Championships in Seefeld Austria and have been selected for their second Australian team alongside Evie Patterson, India Biesse-Fitton, Millie Warbrick, Samantha Li and Charlie Jones who are all making their debut.
“Multiclass Sports Association has been conducting Skiing events for skiers with an intellectual disability since 2013 and we are excited and proud to see skiers who have been competing in our events over the years selected to represent Australia at the Virtus Skiing World Championships” said Helen Hatherly, President Multiclass Sports Association.
“It was an honour to represent Australia in Seefeld earlier this year, the competition and courses were amazing. It was a wonderful experience that has inspired me to work harder and do better this year.” Said Laura Flynn.
Australia first competed at the Virtus Skiing World Championships in 2009 in Italy with Nicole Harris winning Gold in the Downhill and Silver in the Giant Slalom. Harris returned in 2011 and 2012 winning a further 4 Gold and 2 Silver medals.
Olivia Sayers also competed in 2012, but it was more than 10 years till Cherny and Flynn competed in Austria that we saw an Australian team back in action.
It won’t be just the tougher and longer races that will challenge the Australian skiers. They will be competing out of season to their European competitors. Having not skied since August the team will travel to Europe early to get some much needed practice leading into the Championships.
Sport Inclusion Australia has established a Go Fund Me page to help raise funds to enable the athletes to travel to Europe, prepare for the Championships and compete to the best of their ability. If you would like to help the team please visit: https://www.mycause.com.au/page/329545/supporting-australian-skiers-to-virtus-skiing-championships-poland-2024
AUSTRALIAN TEAM
2024 Virtus Skiing World Championships
Zakopane, Poland 2-8 March
Athletes:
India Biesse-Fitton (Vic)
Alex Cherny (Vic)
Laura Flynn (Vic)
Charlie Jones (Vic)
Samantha Li (Vic)
Evie Patterson (Vic)
Millie Warbrick (Qld)
Staff:
Tom Hodges (ACT) Head Coach
Chantel Lewis (Qld) Manager