NZSkier.com - Magazine, Video, Web

17th January 2010

Abtenau, Austria (16 January 2010) Adam Hall finishes two weeks of gruelling World Cup Competition atop the podium, taking a gold in slalom at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Alpine Skiing World Cup races in Abtenau, Austria.

 Hall was unwell for most of his time in Austria and in earlier races was not performing up to his own expectations, landing in fourth place at two races and seventh in another.

 This trip has had its ups and downs, said Hall.  I have been sick for most of it and have been lacking energy.

Photo: Hall in Monday's Slalom Race  Credit: Lammertal

I was really happy to make a comeback and win today.

  It has been two years since I won my last world cup.  This win has really helped to build my confidence and renew my faith in myself and my ability to achieve my goal of gold at the upcoming Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

 I won by two tenths of a second, said Hall.   Its going to be close in Vancouver and well worth watching .

 Halls coach, Hiro Taniguchi, expressed frustration at Halls earlier results saying, I expected better results from the beginning of the series but am pleased that as the series continued his results stepped up and in the end he was the fastest.

 Once again Adam was able to show he can be the best in the world.  He made a great come back today and finished showing his world class talent.

 Our goal in the remaining time leading up to the Paralympic Games will be to gain better control of the ups and downs so that Adam peaks at the right time.

 Hall is headed back to Winter Park, Colorado to continue his training and build up towards his bid for a gold medal at the 2010 Winter Paralympics.

 His parting words, I have 2 months of hard work ahead of me.

 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Alpine Skiing World Cup Races

 More than 140 athletes from 17 countries around the world competed at the (IPC) Alpine Skiing World Cup races in Rinn and Abtenau which took place from 8-15 January.

 Two races were held in Rinn, Austria: a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. The races were held on the Paterscherkofel Olympic slope, the Alpine Skiing slope of the Innsbruck 1964 Olympic Games.

 The athletes then headed over to Abtenau to compete in five more IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup races.

 Top athletes of all categories were present to fight for a place on the podium and for points for the overall World Cup rankings. The World Cup races are also an important stepping stone in the build up to the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Athletes competing in Alpine Skiing events combine speed, strength and power pushing their limits to speed down mountain tops and through slalom courses. They compete in three categories (Sitting, Standing and Visually Impaired), and a results calculation system allows athletes with different profiles to compete against each other. Sighted guides assist skiers with a visual impairment through the course. Athletes with a physical disability use equipment that is adapted to their needs, including mono-skis, sit-skis or outriggers. Speeding down the slopes with sometimes more than 100km/h, the athletes prove that this is an elite level event.

 Hall is a member of the Adaptive Snow Sports National Team and is trained by the Winter Performance Programme under Coach Hiro Taniguchi.  Adaptive Snow Sports New Zealand is a member of Snow Sports New Zealand (SSNZ), the official governing body and National Sports Organisation representing all snow sports in New Zealand.