GB Park and Pipe snowboarder Katie Ormerod (20) has claimed second place at the opening World Cup of the season for Snowboard Big Air in Milan. 

After a phenomenal season in 2016-17 where she finished second overall in the World Cup standings, Ormerod continued to impress in Milan, throwing down her cab 900 mute and backside 720 mute. 

After qualifying for the six-woman final earlier in the day in fifth place, Ormerod was up against a high quality field that didn’t disappoint. 

Despite Ormerod going into the final round leading the field, it was Austrian Anna Gasser who eventually triumphed, scoring a total of 160.25, with Ormerod claiming the silver with 143.25 and Sina Candrian from Switzerland taking bronze with a score of 130.25. 

“I'm really pleased with silver today at the first World Cup Big Air of the season” said Ormerod after claiming second. “It really boosts my confidence going forward into such a busy and important few months”.

FIS Alpine Slalom World Cup – Levi, Finland

Delancey British Alpine Ski Team athlete Dave Ryding was on the verge of a historic win in Levi, Finland yesterday as he impressed in the Slalom World Cup, taking top position after the first run by 0.14 seconds. As the race leader, Ryding was the last man down the foggy Finnish course on run two, however after looking strong on the first part of the course and 0.51 seconds ahead after the second split, Ryding caught an inside edge, coming out of the course and unfortunately clocking a DNF.

"It wasn’t the best of days overall”, said Ryding after the race. “But I have to take some positives from my performance. I went out there and put out what I have got, and it shows that myself and my team have been doing something right over the summer in training. It is a shame not to come away from today with some points, but sometimes slalom can be cruel. 

"Going into the second run I knew it was tight and I had to attack. When you are racing you are never sure whether you are up or down on the timing so you just have to go for it. I started the pitch the way I know I can, but halfway down my inside ski just went away from me and that was it. I just have to put the disappointment to one side now and carry on believing in myself. I will pick myself up and get back to training before the next World Cup in four weeks.”

Ryding’s teammate Laurie Taylor who was competing in his second-ever World Cup had a fantastic start in run one, but couldn’t hold on and skied out of the course. Although disappointing, it is all good experience for the 21-year-old who finished 33rd in the Slalom at the World Championships at the end of last season.

In the Ladies Slalom World Cup on Saturday, Delancey British Alpine Ski Team athlete Charlie Guest finished the first run in 51^st place, meaning she didn’t progress to the second run, but showed that she can hold her own on the World Cup circuit. Unfortunately her teammate Alex Tilley wasn’t able to finish run one, clocking her second DNF of the season. 

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