Aussies Scott, Morris claim aerials medals

Australians Danielle Scott and David Morris have won aerials medals at the freestyle ski and snowboard world championships.

(L-R) Danielle Scott, US Ashley Caldwell, and Chinese Mengtao Xu

Australians Danielle Scott (L) and David Morris have won aerials medals at the world championships. (AAP)

Aerial skiing showed why it remains the bedrock of winter sport in Australia as Danielle Scott and David Morris snared medals at the world championships in Spain.

Scott claimed silver and Morris took bronze under lights in Sierra Nevada on a night when Lydia Lassila and defending champion Laura Peel didn't even make the final.

World Cup title runner-up Scott (94.47 points) took the lead in the women's event with the penultimate jump, laying down a neat triple-twisting double somersault in the decider.

It left American Ashley Caldwell (109.25) with it all to do but with a high-scoring triple-triple up her sleeve she effectively only needed to land the jump cleanly to win.

China's Xu Mengtao (91.65) was third.

"It was a bit of a heartbreaker not taking home the globe (World Cup crown) this season ... but my goal was to come out here and do everything I could to be my best so I've got to be pleased with that," Scott said.

It was a welcome return to form for Sochi silver medallist Morris (114.93) who hadn't been on the podium once during the World Cup season.

"That last jump (quad-twisting triple) was the first time I'd done it this season because I haven't practised all that much because I've had a couple of injuries and all these other problems," he said.

"It was pretty terrifying. I had a bit of a panic attack. Coach Jeff (Bean) basically just talked me into it - he said 'stay calm and go for it'.

"So I stepped up, went really big, closed my eyes, stretched until my feet hit the ground and then I stood up and it was pretty sweet."

American Jonathon Lillis (125.79) won ahead of China's Qi Guangpu (120.36).

The placings show the depth Australia has in the sport: two-time Olympic medallist and 2016/17 World Cup triple winner Lassila could only manage 11th.

She will finish her career with a rare blot on her resume - no world championship medals in five attempts.

Lassila was edged by teammates Laura Peel - the defending world champion (8th) and Sam Wells (10th).

Australia has now won 10 world championship medals, produced four world champions and picked up five Winter Olympics medals in aerial skiing.

Meanwhile, snowboarder Scotty James has continued his outstanding form by qualifying first for the halfpipe final.

Four men: Alex Pulllin (4th), Jarryd Hughes (8th), Adam Lambert (14th) and Cam Bolton (25th) qualified for the snowboard cross final.

Both finals are on Sunday (AEDT).

Women's fancy Belle Brockhoff withdrew from the event with a knee injury.


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Source: AAP



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