Record Winter Games haul looms: Chesterman
Mar 29, 2017 - 3:42 AM Winter Olympics chef de mission Ian Chesterman has revealed the three sports he hopes will spur Australia to a best medal haul next year in South Korea.Aerial skiing, snowboard cross and mogul skiing are high on Australia's hit list for February's Pyeongchang Games.
Australia's best tally stands at two gold and one silver from the 2010 Vancouver Games.
It's our long-standing strength in aerial skiing that Chesterman believes will underpin a record haul.
"Five athletes in one discipline have won medals this year. That's what you need," he told AAP's sports editors' conference on Wednesday in Sydney.
"We've invested heavily ... and won a medal there in every Games since 2002.
"At the world championships, all four (Australian athletes) qualified in the top six. That's the sort of depth we need."
Lydia Lassila, Danielle Scott, Samantha Wells and Laura Peel have won medals in the past season at World Cup events.
In the moguls, Brittany Cox has blitzed the field, winning seven of 11 gold available through the World Cup season.
Brodie Summers and Matt Graham have also claimed men's mogul medals.
Australia's first Winter gold medal came at the 2002 Salt Lake Games, courtesy of Steven Bradbury's famous run from back-marker to champion.
Chesterman said he hoped Australia wouldn't need similar fortune in South Korea.
"We're not relying on the Bradbury experience, though the good thing about winter sports is that the Bradbury experience can happen," he said.
"We just need everyone fit and healthy and we need everyone to maintain their form."
Source: AAP
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- IOC president Bach defends Russia decision Dec 31
- 'Cowardly' Russia call keeps doping alive Dec 27
- Pullin in form as Winter Games edge closer Dec 22
- IOC bans 11 more Russians for doping Dec 22
- Graham adds China moguls bronze to silver Dec 22
- Tokyo Olympics down $420m, more cuts eyed Dec 22
- Injured Brockhoff won't rule out Olympics Dec 21
- Aussie Matt Graham second in moguls event Dec 21
- Russian link rules out Swedish Games coach Dec 20
- AOC restructured after bullying claims Dec 17
- Aussie winter athletes win two events Dec 16
- FBI controls doping whistleblower: Putin Dec 14