VU at the 2017 Australian University Snow Championships

The Australian Snow Uni Games 2017, held 28 to 31 August, enjoyed some of the best conditions for white-powder action in recent memory.

Tremendous snow cover at near perfect quality, matched by a string of blue-bird skies, provided the ideal backdrop for a little competitive magic.

The Snow Games has four core disciplines: Alpine, Freestyle, Snowboard and Cross Country. Each feature a series of events within them. It’s competitive, starting from a base of highly capable athletes stretching through to Olympic representatives.

VU has a reputation for entering specialist elite teams at the snow games, and 2017 proved no exception. Double-degree sport and psychology student Lauren Staveley performed well. After a highly challenging 2016, she returned to take Silver in her Slopestyle event to go with the two Golds she’s previously won in the event in 2016 and 2014. Lauren was VU’s 2016 Female Athlete of the Year announced at VU’s annual Sport Awards.

Bachelor of Sport Coaching student Tom McMahon had a standout improvement - testament to his current form in the Cross Country over this current season. Tom recorded an admirable 4th place in a class field where the podium was owned by Australian international representatives.