American World Cup ski racer Ava Sunshine has claimed the top spot in the women’s FIS ANC Giant Slalom race held at Coronet Peak on Tuesday (August 29), while Fadri Janutin of Switzerland took the win in the hard fought men’s race. 

The second day of the Winter Games NZ alpine ski racing programme got underway at Coronet Peak with the second FIS ANC Giant Slalom race. 

The field was stacked with 124 athletes from 34 nations racing at New Zealand's home of alpine ski racing, Coronet Peak. 

Cold temperatures overnight resulted in great snow conditions for the race in the morning, however, the high temperatures resulted in soft snow in the afternoon, creating difficult conditions for the second run.

Fadri Janutin

The race consisted of two runs with the combined times determining the final placings, and the courses were set on The Hurdle by Kiwi Winter Olympian Tim Cafe (run 1) and USA women's world cup coach Magnus Anderson (run 2).

The women's podium saw Ava Sunshine (USA) take the gold, with local legend Alice Robinson (NZ) following just +0.68 seconds behind Sunshine in second place. In third was Sunshine’s compatriot and yesterday's gold medalist A J Hurt (USA).

“It's so fun, I love being in New Zealand,” Ava said.

“You know it's just a great time. The hill was really good and there are so many great people here.” 

Alice said she had a mixed day.

“I had a pretty gnarly first run. I got caught in a gate and hurt my back but I’m happy I regrouped and had a good second run to finish on the podium.”

The men's podium consisted of three different athletes from yesterday's podium, showing just how talented the top of the men’s field is at Winter Games NZ 2023. Fadri Janutin (SUI) came out on top, with Norwegian athlete Timon Haugan in second, followed by Andreas Zampa (SVK) in third.

“Today I think my skiing was pretty good, I was pretty happy after the first run and then I thought that I need to go full gas in the second run to make the win and I did it,” Fadri said. “I’m really happy about that.”

Winter Games NZ is the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest snow sports event, in 2023 featuring 11 events across alpine, freeride and park and pipe disciplines between August 25 and September 13. Racing continues on Thursday at Coronet Peak with the first day of FIS Australia New Zealand cup Slalom.

PHOTOS: Supplied