Hudson holds on to win slalom title

PIERA Hudson showed her class to win both the national and overall titles at the New Zealand slalom championships at Coronet Peak yesterday.

The 26yearold from Hawke’s Bay claimed her sixth New Zealand slalom title after blitzing the field on the first of her two runs.

“I am just happy that I was able to charge today and not let the pressure of the national title get to me,’’ Hudson said.

‘‘I just wanted to ski well and go for the win, so I am glad that is how the race turned out.”

The race included athletes from more than 10 nations, and overall race medals, as well as national championship placings, were awarded.

Hudson, a slalom specialist, put down a solid first run to take the lead by over half a second.

Although her nearest competition had a slightly faster run two time, Hudson’s lead from run one was enough to secure both the New Zealand title and the overall championship.

“It’s always nice to get the cup back,’’ Hudson said.

‘‘I am just glad to get the cup and the win on home soil. My first run was really good. Second run, I was charging and made a mistake but I had done enough in the first run to hold on, so I am happy.”

Mikayla Smyth was second in the New Zealand championship and Katie Crawford third.

Hudson topped the overall podium from Elena Stoffel and Lara Baumann (both of Switzerland).

Queenstownbased skier Jack Adams won the New Zealand men’s slalom title.

Giant slalom national title holder Willis Feasey was second and Calder Bain third.

Jedrzej Jasiczek (Poland) was the men’s overall winner with Dionys Kippel (Switzerland) second and Minsik Jung (Korea) third.