Hanlon Shows Downhill Flair On First Practice Run 

First run, done.

Australia’s sole downhill racer, Josh Hanlon, completed his first training run on the famous Tofane slope and said, in the most Aussie way possible, he’s “keen to just give it a nudge” when the real deal starts in a few days’ time.

Hanlon’s favourite events are more technical than speed. However, he said he had been happy with his recent results and was enjoying the downhill more than ever.

“I didn’t expect there to be that many jumps. It definitely didn’t look to be that jumpy on inspection, it’s a very challenging hill,” he said.

“That’s a good thing, I think, it gives everyone a chance to excel. It’s just not a two-turn race, which is great. The snow’s a bit slushy, but we can deal with that.

“I’ve only really come to like the downhill this season. I’ve got the hang of it and been happy with how I’ve been skiing and happy with the results I got from the season in downhill, so I’m keen to just give it a nudge and see where we can get to.”

Hanlon said he had been working with sports psychologist Courtney Hess, who is part of the Australian team at Milano Cortina.

“The nerves coming into that run just then were very low. which is great,” he said.

“I think we’ve got a bunch of race experience this season, which has helped. I’ve been working with Courtney, our sports psych, just to manage that emotional regulation and keep on top of it.”

Hanlon will be the only Australian to contest Para alpine skiing’s ultra speed event. Michael Milton met the criteria to compete in downhill but will continue to focus on his recovery and return to snow in consultation with coaching and medical staff after sustaining a fractured left hip last month.

“Michael is tracking well considering the extent of his injury and the operation he had less than a month ago. At this stage, we’re taking his return to snow one day at a time,” said Viran De Silva, Chief Medical Officer of the Australian Paralympic Winter Team.

David Sygall, Paralympics Australia