Paralympics: Hall gets season underway in winning fashion

Adam Hall proved why he is the king of mountains this week, finishing in first place on both days of the men's standing slalom competition at the International Paralympic Committee's Noram Cup on Copper Mountain in Colorado.

The defending Paralympic gold medallist cruised to first place in 1min 26.67sec on the first day of the event and easily garnered the title on the second day in 1min 19.46secIn the first race, Hall's margin was 4.58sec over second-placed Kirk Schornstein, of Canda, with another Canadian, Brayden Luscombe, in third.

The second race was a little closer with a margin of 1.81sec over Australians Toby Kane and Mitchell Gourley.

"It always feels great to get the race season under way," Hall said.

"I was feeling pretty confident heading into these races.

"There have been a lot of people putting in lots of hard work over the last six months to get me in prime race shape, including my new coach Scott Olson."

Olson spent three months in New Zealand working with Hall both on and off the snow.

"We have made some positive changes which we are paying dividends on a daily basis. It is pretty exciting.

"Leaving Copper on top is a great start and one we will keep building on for the rest of the race season."

In the men's giant slalom, New Zealander Corey Peters - competing in only his second competition finished eighth in a field of 20 in his first race and 10th in his second race.