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Two-time Paralympian Sam Tait and Beijing 2022 representative Josh Hanlon lead a contingent of Australia’s finest Para-alpine skiers at the first ever FIS Para Series event held in Australia, at Perisher, starting on Tuesday.
Tait and Hanlon will be joined by fellow Milano Cortina hopefuls Georgia Gunew and her sighted guide Ethan Jackson, as well as Liana France, and several members of the emerging talent program.
In an eye-catching development, one of the nation’s greatest Winter Paralympians, six-time gold medallist Michael Milton will make his competitive return to ski racing after nearly 20 years, when he takes his place in the Giant Slalom, which kicks off three days of Para-alpine ski racing to close out the domestic season.
“It’s great to see Para-alpine ski racing back on our slopes as we zone in on Milano Cortina,” Australian Paralympic Team Chef de Mission Ben Troy said.
“I want to thank the NSW Government for supporting this event, giving our athletes a chance to compete and get internationally classified without having to leave our shores.
“Having top-level competition in our Australian winter helps us develop a strong and healthy pool of top-level athletes ready to take on the world.
“All of our top-ranked Para-alpine skiers will be competing and having a someone like Michael Milton competing as well is a great opportunity for our younger athletes to see a legend at work. It’s going to be a fascinating few days that I know everyone’s been looking forward to.”
These races kick off the start of the FIS world cup calendar heading into the Milano Cortina Paralympics, which starts on March 6 next year.
“These are the first races for four of nine competing Para-competitors and a fantastic opportunity to score FIS Para-points and get an international ranking,” Troy said.
“It’s also a rare chance for athletes to get an international classification on home soil, potentially setting more athletes on a path towards the Paralympic Winter Games.”
By David Sygall, Paralympics Australia.
