Australian skier Laura Peel is the new world aerial champion after pulling off a jump at the world championships she had used only once before in competition.

Peel’s compatriot Danielle Scott completed a stunning comeback from a serious knee injury to finish fourth on Wednesday night in Kazakhstan.

Peel last won the world title in 2015 but has been the pacesetter in the women’s aerials ahead of next year’s Winter Olympics in Beijing.

The World Cup leader laid it all on the line with an extremely high difficulty Back Full-Full-Full jump in the superfinal, after sitting third after qualification.

“My qualification jumps weren’t my best but I saved my best for the final,” the 31-year-old dual Olympian said.

“It’s only the second time I’ve completed that jump and I’m so happy to put it down.

“The second time [winning the world title] feels even better.”

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The Canberra skier posted a score of 106.46 which was well clear of second-placed American Ashley Caldwell, who scored 101.47 for the same jump. The Russian Ski Federation’s Liubov Nikitina took the bronze.

Scott sat second behind Caldwell after qualification which was an amazing achievement given she had a knee reconstruction in late 2019 and only returned to World Cup competition last month.

Proving she is still a major threat ahead of the February games, the two-time Olympian won that World Cup in Utah and looked in line for a medal in Almaty.

Scott was in fine form in the air and looked to have stuck her landing only to get turned around after her ski caught an edge.

The 31-year-old Sydneysider has been training at Australia’s new world-class Winter Olympic sports facility in Queensland, which offers jumps and pool for the aerialists.

Matt Graham won Australia’s other medal, claiming silver in the men’s dual moguls on Tuesday.

AAP



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