Kilner keeps pushing for Olympic Qualification
The second event of the 2009 LG FIS Snowboard World Cup Halfpipe Tour came to a close today - 6 November 2009 - in Saas Fee, Switzerland. British Snowboard Team athlete Ben Kilner finished in 14th place, the second-best placing in his career to date, and a key result in this Olympic season.
Kilner (21, Banchory) laid down a solid run in qualification, finishing 8th in his heat with only the top six going through to the finals. British World Cup Halfpipe Team coach Leo Addington commented “Ben rode well and was unfortunate not to make the finals. I’m pleased with how he landed his competition run, finishing with his frontside 9. The conditions were extremely tough for qualification [which took place on 5 November], the resort was shut to everyone but the World Cup riders due to the high winds and as a result they postponed the women’s qualification until today”.
Kilner commented “I’m pleased with my result but obviously a little disappointed not to have made the finals. The conditions were really challenging but we got through it. The result keeps me on track for Vancouver so I’m really pleased with that”.
Three other British Snowboard Team athletes were in action in Saas Fee, producing mixed results. Kate Foster (24, Painswick) finished the competition in 25th place, a solid start to her northern hemisphere winter season. Kate commented “the bad weather finally cleared and it turned out to be a beautiful winter’s day with blue skies and temperatures of -10C. The pipe was in good condition and I landed two solid runs so happy days! I’m looking forward to stepping it up in the Copper Grand Prix in December”.
Dom Harington (25, Leeds) had a good run according to Addington but it wasn’t enough for a top 30 place, finishing the competition in 36th place. Lesley McKenna (35, Aviemore) had the “best bail of the day” according to Addington, after catching her heel edge on the coping of the Halfpipe, but luckily not injuring herself.
“Overall I’m happy with the Team’s performance” commented Addington. “We will continue to train in Saas Fee for a few days before heading to Copper Mountain, USA, for training in the lead up to the next World Cup Halfpipe event”.
