The University of Sydney has come agonisingly close to defending their 2011 Australian University Championship (AUC) Snow Sports title, after finishing second behind The University of Melbourne following a frenetic final day of action at Mt Buller, Victoria.
Thursday’s conditions were a little better than Wednesday but still proved to be difficult for the last three events that would determine the overall 2012 AUC winners – Alpine Super G, Boarder Cross and Skier Cross.
Nicole Wilson got Sydney Uni’s Alpine Super G prospects off to a great start in the women’s event, finishing with a silver medal, with her team mates finishing in ninth and 13th. In the men’s race things went a little pear shaped. 15 of the top skiers were disqualified for missing the last gate, which was precariously positioned over a rise, which made it difficult to spot until the last moment. Sydney Uni had three of the top 10 times, including the best time, but these did not count. Sydney Uni’s best results therefore ended up being 18th, 19th and 22nd.
Due to the condition of the snow on Thursday afternoon the Boarder and Skier Cross races were reduced to a one timed run. In the men’s Boarder Cross, Elliot Fielder placed ninth, with the next two best placed 12th and 17th. In the women’s Boarder Cross event Amy Gojnich finished fourth, while Eilish Sheerin and Lara Rotrkarn finished in seventh and 11th respectively.
Sydney Uni managed another silver medal in the men’s Skier Cross with Alex Podgorski crossing in second place. Tom Lewis placed 11th and Jim Liddle came in 14th. The women’s Skier Cross saw Nicole Wilson again prove her ability with a strong fifth place finish. Eliza Graham and Susie Lauer came in 11th and 12th respectively to finish off the week.
So when the dust settled from the final day Sydney University finished as Female Champions, joint Male Alpine Champions (Tom Lewis) and second overall on the championship ladder behind Melbourne University.
