Day 7 at the Games: Skeleton & Ski Racing Update

After a dream start to his first Olympic Games, skeleton racer Rhys Thornbury’s final race has ended in nightmarish fashion. 

The Kiwi was sitting in eighth place after his first day of heats yesterday and managed to improve his position by one place, up to seventh in heat three today. A top eight finish looked to be easily within his grasp until disaster struck right at the start of the fourth and final heat.

A slip and Thornbury’s sled ‘popping the groove’ had him out of contention for a top result and he would finish his race placed 14^th overall. 

“It’s just a nightmare situation really,” said Thornbury.

“I was sitting in a great position after the third run, feeling good and not really feeling any pressure. I had a good gap behind me and worst case I thought I would be into eighth place. 

“But just the worst thing that can happen in our sport happened to me on the start. It’s just impossible to bring anything back when that kind of thing happens and the racing is all so close.

“I’m so proud of what I did but at the same time gutted, real gutted. I’ve experienced races not going the way I wanted to them to, but this level of disappointment is definitely a new low for me.

“It’s been amazing. I’ve had so much fun racing here, with all the crowds here, and the NZ team is awesome and the whole team has got behind me so much. It’s just a shame it’s ended the way it has.” 

Alpine Ski Racing

Adam Barwood and Willis Feasey got their first day’s racing under their belts today, competing in the Super-G at Joengseon Alpine Centre. While not a preferred event for either racer, they were positive about their first Olympic competition of the 2018 Games with Feasey finishing 37^th and Barwood 43^rd.

Barwood had an early mistake which cost him his speed and valuable seconds near the top of the course, getting thrown almost horizontal and touching the snow with his hip before bouncing back up. He managed to recover some pace through the mid-section but then gave spectators a nervous few seconds when he misjudged the final jump and flailed through the air before finding his feet and crossing the finish line

“I saved it coming of the last jump,” he explains. “It was a little bit close I wasn’t in quite the right position when I left the jump so once you’re in the air its harder to get back.” 

Feasey was generally pleased with his first day racing, despite a few mistakes in his run. 

“I had some really good sections so I’m happy with that skiing,” he said. “I made a mistake coming off one of the jumps, I went too straight over the roll and landed a bit deeper than I was hoping.

“I think I can take a lot of positives away from today. I was skiing pretty well in most of the sections so I’m excited for the GS.” 

Alice Robinson recorded a DNF in the women’s Slalom. Starting near the back of the field in bib 59 she struggled with the rutted course and skied out of the course.