Despite growing numbers of promising young skiers rising
through the ranks of freeskiing, no new athletes have managed
to break their way into New Zealand's top echelon of the
sport.
The Freeski Association of New Zealand (FSANZ) has named its
national and development teams for the northern hemisphere
winter, with only one new name being added to the second-tier
development squad.
Top internationals Jossi and Byron Wells are joined by
long-time Wanaka freeski companion Lyndon Sheehan in the park
disciplines, while Wanaka big mountain specialists Sam
Smoothy and Janina Kuzma are also re-selected.
Winter Olympic hopeful Mitchey Greig, of Queenstown, also
retained her place as she bids to be the only New Zealand
woman to compete in the skier-cross discipline at Vancouver
in February.
The members of New Zealand's elite freeski team will
individually contest various international competitions on
the northern hemisphere circuit during the next few months.
The freeski development squad has been reduced from 28 skiers
to 18, with Pete Oswald the sole new addition to the
secondary tier of young athletes.
Snowsports New Zealand coaching and sport development
director Adam Dooney said squad numbers had been cut to
provide greater benefits and support to those athletes with
the greatest potential of representing New Zealand on the
international stage.
A talent identification group was also named as a third tier
of athletes, to provide a structured pathway for promising
juniors, he said.
NZ freeski team
For the northern winter
Sam Smoothy (big mountain, Wanaka), Mitchey Greig
(skier-cross, Queenstown), Janina Kuzma (big mountain,
Wanaka), Lyndon Sheehan, Byron Wells, Jossi Wells (half-pipe,
slopestyle, all of Wanaka).
Development team Freestyle: Olly Allan, Mikey Austin,
Rose Battersby, Trent Francis, Matt Johnson, Taylor King,
Hamish McDougall, Harry Pettit, Ryan Read, Amy Sheehan, Matt
Soundy, Beau James Wells.
Big Mountain/Freeride: Tom Brownlee, Sam Lee, Cam
McDirmid, Fraser McDougall, Peter Oswald, Neil Williman.
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