Team GB’s youngest competitor at the Beijing Olympic Games, freestyle skier Kirsty Muir, finished eighth with a best score of 71.30 in the freeski slopestyle final on Tuesday.
Her team mate Katie Summerhayes, who finished seventh at previous Olympics in Sochi and PyeongChang, was one place further back in ninth with 64.75.
Kirsty Muir finished 8th in the freeski Slopestyle final at the Genting Snow Park in Zhangjakou, China. PHOTO: Sam Mellish / Team GB
Kirsty Muir, aged 17, from Aberdeen, although happy to be in the final, felt a little disappointed after making a couple little mistakes.
She said: “My [third] run was looking a lot better up until that point. I was really happy with it and then had just too much speed on the second jump.”
What does she believe she has to do to get to the next level? “I’ve got a lot to work on,” she said. “The sport is moving at a really fast rate, so I’ve got a lot to do to keep up with it but this gives me motivation to keep working.
“This is my last year of school. I’m thinking either a gap year or head to uni this year. If I take a gap year, I’m just going to focus on skiing and then maybe go to uni alongside.”
“Everyone at home is really proud of me and it’s really nice to have everyone’s support. I’ve had messages from my family and friends and I saw that Judy Murray tweeted me and that was really cool. The support at home is unbelievable and I’m really thankful for everything.”
Katie Summerhayes, aged 26, from Sheffield admitted her goal was to get a medal, but was still happy with the way she skied.
She said: “The standard was amazing and to be a part of that is crazy. The past two Olympics I’ve been in tears at the bottom, but the thing that has changed for me is just that I had so much fun today.
“Not like I’ve not had fun [before] but it was a different kind of vibe for me. I wanted to go out and enjoy myself and I feel like I did that.
Does Katie still believe she can get on the podium in the future? “Definitely,” she said, “but the thing with our sport is anyone has the potential to be on the podium. Sometimes it can all just come together on the day and you get that momentum where you win. I think that is the most exciting thing about our sport, anybody could win.
“I need to take some time, get through the rest of the season and have a bit of a break because it has been full on and then decide what I want to do. I’ve had so much fun today and I don’t want to stop yet, so we will see.”
Katie Summerhayes in action during the freeski Slopestyle event at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. PHOTO: Sam Mellish / Team GB