SNOWBOARD: Australian slopestyle rider Mahalah Mullins has gone within 2.5 points of a medal at the Lillehammer 2016 Youth Olympic Games, finishing fifth after her two runs at Hafjell Freepark.
Teammate and halfpipe silver medallist Emily Arthur was 14th in her ‘fun’ event as halfpipe champion Chloe Kim (88.25) again was superb to add a second gold medal. Her American teammate Hailey Langford was considered the favourite but she failed to land either of her runs.
After completing her vastly improved second run Mullins was in third place with 76.75 points. She held that spot as more athletes finished, before eventually being bumped off by two competitors.
The 17-year-old from Albury was 15th after crashing out in her 1st run which gave her ankle a ‘small tweak’. She bounced back well to put down a run that left her wondering what could have been with her best run.
“It probably wasn’t the run I wanted to come away with today it was just my safety run,” Mullins explained. “But I crashed out in the first run and kind of hurt my ankle a bit so I had to tape that up at the top and keep it easy.
“I definitely would have liked to have put down a switch-back-five on the first jump in my step-up run but I didn’t get to give that a go.”
Conditions have been tough all week for the riders but the wind dropped today for the final.
Mullins who has placed 9th at senior World Cup this season would have liked to have won a medal but was more disappointed with not being able to put down her best run. to not win a medal but
Arthur was ninth after her first run of 44.50 points and had a fall in her second run to not improve that spot. She was more than happy to make the most of another Youth Olympic competition experience.
“My first run was good. I just fell on my second going for a bit more. I don’t really ride slope but just having some fun out here,” Arthur said.
“I was just doing some 3s. I went way to big on my first 3 but it’s all good.”
Arthur was very thankful for all the support from back home following her silver medal and has loved her YOG experience.
“It’s been amazing I don’t want to leave! i don't want to go home and cook my own food again,” Arthur said laughing.
This was the last competition of the season for both athletes. The priority for Mullins for the rest of 2016 will be her final year of school with snowboarding and training snuck in where she can.
Andrew Reid
Olympics.com.au
