Barwood, Hudson Claim Back-to-Back National Titles in New Zealand

New Zealand racers Adam Barwood and Piera Hudson have claimed back-to-back national titles at the New Zealand Alpine National Championships held at Coronet Peak. Barwood and Hudson claimed the slalom championship titles on Tuesday, having also been crowned giant slalom national champions in Sunday’s race.

Warm temperatures overnight meant some soft snow conditions and Hudson was happy to be the first racer on course.

“I got a lucky draw with bib one today with the soft conditions,” she said.

She made the most of this advantage, laying down the fastest first run in the women’s field, with all to play for in run two. Defending national champion Alice Robinson moved up 15 places from bib 19 to finish fourth after run one and was happy enough with her performance.

“The course was really soft and bumpy,” Robinson said. “My slalom isn’t my strongest event so I am really pleased to be in fourth after run one.”

In the men’s field, defending NZ champion Adam Barwood never looked in too much danger of relinquishing his title, so long as he could hold on in the tricky snow conditions. After the first run Adam was placed fifth with Willis Feasey as his closest teammate way back in 19th place.

As it was, a mistake in the bottom half of the course on run two would put an end to Feasey’s second run charge for the men’s national championship title while Barwood hung on, dropping back to eighth overall but managing to retain the men’s slalom title for another year.

Colbey Derwin (28th) and Hamish Garrick (29th) rounded out the NZ podium.

Sam Maes from Belgium make it three wins in three days with a spectacular, agile second run.

“I had a lot of fun today, I knew I was fit coming into the race but I haven’t been training much slalom yet so didn’t have any expectations,” the Belgian said said.

The women’s leader after the first run, Hudson started 30th in run two and had to battle the ruts to get to the finish. A few mistakes on the bumpy course cost her the overall lead, finishing in sixth place overall, but taking the National Ladies’ Slalom title.

Alice Robinson was charging the second run but a rut towards the bottom of the course put an end to her run and she suffered a DNF.

“I’m pretty disappointed with the mistake, but you live and learn,” she said.

Georgia Bushell finished ninth overall and Eliza Grigg in 13th to round out the NZ women’s podium.

Tuva Norbye of Norway won the women’s race.

To see full results from this series, click here.

Release courtesy of Snow Sports NZ.