MINSK, 25 February (BelTA) – Belarus' Anton Kushnir and Artyom Bashlakov won the first synchronized aerials at the 2019 FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup in Raubichi, Belarus, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Sport and Tourism Ministry.
Competing were nine duets, with six of them advancing to the final stage of the competitions.
Competing for medals were Belarus' Anton Kushnir/Artyom Bashlakov, Ilya Gorelik/Igor Drebenkov, and Makar Mitrofanov/Vyacheslav Timertsev.
Anton Kushnir and Artyom Bashlakov placed first with 94.54 points. The international duo of Dimitri Isler of Switzerland and Felix Cormier-Boucher of Canada finished second with 86.50 points. Bronze went to the United States' Nicholas Novak and Patrick O'Flynn (85.02 points).
The women's event was won by the U.S. duet of Madison Varmette and Winter Vinecki scoring 83.92 points. Silver went to the U.S. duo of Ashley Caldwell and Megan Nick (81.27 points). Bronze was collected by Australia's Laura Peel and Abbey Willcox (76.73 points).
Belarus' Snezhana Drebenkova and Yana Yermashevich scored 51.17 to place fourth.
According to head coach of the Belarusian national freestyle ski team Nikolai Kozeko, the synchronized aerials debut was a success. “The synchronized aerials can be included into the World Cup program, world championships and Olympics, but here a lot depends on the International Ski Federation, the International Olympic Committee and other organizations,” Nikolai Kozeko said.
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Earlier, the synchronized aerials have been a part of entertainment. Belarus' Aleksei Grishin and Dmitry Dashchinsky performed in the event. The Belarusian Freestyle Ski Federation and the Belarusian Ski Union became initiators to add a new impetus to the development of the synchronized aerials.
Photo courtesy of the Belarusian Sport and Tourism Ministry
