Press releases

MINSK, 14 January (BelTA) – Belarus will be represented by aerial skiers Maxim Gustik, Denis Osipov, Stanislav Gladchenko, Anna Guskova and Alexandra Romanovskaya at the 2015 FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships that kick off in Kreischberg, Austria on 14 January, BelTA has learned.

The current season which kicked off a month ago has already brought several medals to Belarus. Opening a new international cycle at the FIS Europa Cup in Ruka, Finland Anna Guskova and Alexandra Romanovskaya claimed bronze medals. Maxim Gustik was close to the podium finishing fourth in the FIS Beijing Aeriels World Cup. His teammate Denis Osipov also made it into the final, finishing 6^th overall. Anna Guskova, participant of the Sochi Olympics, was 5^th in China. Besides, Anna Guskova, Denis Osipov and Maxim Gustik won team bronze there. The Belarusian athletes did not take part in the FIS World Cup Aerials in Deer Valley, the United States.

The 2013 FIS World Cup Aerials in Norway was not so lucky. The best result among Belarusians was the 12^th place by Dmitry Dashchinsky who retired to continue as a coach. 2010 Winter Olympic champion Alexei Grishin announced his retirement ahead of the 2014/15 season. The current season will be also missed by gold medallists of the 2014 Sochi Olympics Anton Kushnir (recovering from injuries) and Alla Tsuper (maternity leave).

The FIS World Championships rules slightly differ from the FIS World Cup and almost repeat the Olympic program. Athletes are offered two qualifying tries which end up with twelve best competitors advancing into the final. Four athletes with the worst results are eliminated in Final 1. Only six competitors continue the battle for the medals after Final 2. Final 3 is the medal event. Unlike in the Olympic competitions, two days are envisaged for the stages of the final events. The aerial skiers will face their qualifying stage on 14 January. The finals will take place on 15 January.

Competitions in freestyle skiing, snowboard and ski-cross will continue through 25 January.