Australian aerial skier Laura Peel has won gold at the FIS World Championships, performing a number of spectacular triple back somersaults to claim victory in Almaty, Kazakhstan, overnight.
The 31-year-old from Canberra is now the first-ever Australian aerial skier to win two World Championship gold medals, having first won gold in Kreischberg, Austria, in 2015.
In the super final, Peel competed one of the most difficult jumps ever performed by a female competitor, full-full-full, a triple twisting triple back somersault scoring a huge 106.46 points to take the win.
Behind Peel on the podium was American Ashley Caldwell who also jumped a full-full-full with 101.74 points and Russian Liubov Nikitina on 94.47 points.
Narrowly missing the medals in fourth place was Australian teammate Danielle Scott who also performed high-scoring triple somersaults throughout the day and won the earlier qualification round in only her second competition start since the Olympic final in 2018.
“Honestly the second time feels even better," Peel said after stepping off the podium.
“My qualification jumps were not my best, but I saved my best for the final, it’s only the second time I have completed that jump, I am so happy to put it down.”
The aerial skiers will remain in Almaty for the World Cup final which will take place on March 13, when Peel will be aiming to make it back-to-back World Cup titles.
Peel is currently in first place on the standings with 410 points, 67 points clear of the next ranked skier, Winter Vinecki of the USA. Peel needs to finish in seventh place or better to secure the title and season champion Crystal Globe.
