Ryan Finishes 45 in the Super G at the Youth Olympics
Team Ireland’s action at the Winter Youth Olympics was kick started by Matt Ryan today, when he finished 45th in the Super G, with a time of 58.7 seconds. Gold went to Swedish skier Adam Hofstedt, Slovenian Rok Azneh took silver, and local interest Luc Roduit, from Switzerland rounded off the podium with bronze.
This was the first of five days of competition for the two person Irish team, which also includes Alpine skier Emma Austin. They are competing in the third edition of the Winter Youth Olympic Games, with the Alpine Skiing taking place in the ski resort, Les Diablerets.
Speaking after Ryan had a positive outlook, despite disappointment in his results,
“I’m a little disappointed but still happy to be here. I was a little wide on some of the turns and lost a bit of time but overall it was good. The snow is actually really good, they did a good job with it. I’m excited for the next two races, it’s good to get started.”
The Super G is a speed event involving athletes navigating through poles or gates that are separated by a greater distance those in the Slalom and Giant Slalom, and thus ensuring a fast descent for athletes.
Today’s competition also constitutes 50% of the Alpine Combined event that Ryan is competing in, and tomorrow his result from the Alpine Combined Slalom will make up the other half. Ryan will be the only Irish athlete competing tomorrow, with his race starting at 09:30 Irish time.
The Winter Youth Olympic Games have complete gender balance, with the same number of males and females competing, and they are a sustainable-games with athletes and competitors using existing transport systems. Over the course of the games almost 1900 athletes are competing in 8 sports, which cover 16 disciplines and 81 sporting events! To maximise sustainability the sports are run in waves, with Alpine Skiing featuring in the first wave.
Footage from competition at the Youth Olympics can be found on the LAUSANNE 2020 website and on the OLYMPIC CHANNEL.
The Winter Youth Olympics in Lausanne, Switzerland will be the first of two major events for Team Ireland in 2020, with the Summer Olympics taking place in Tokyo later this year.
RESULTS
Gold Adam Hofstedt (SWE) 54.56
Silver Rok Aznoh (SLO) 54.62
Bronze Luc Roduit (SUI) 54.76
45th Matt Ryan (IRL) 58.70
