Speed Skier Jan Farrell Finishes In Overall 5th Place In World Cup ‘Speed 1’ Season
British speed skier, Jan Farrell, has achieved the best overall result in a World Cup season for a British racer in over ten years with a 5th place in the highest category of speed skiing, the Speed 1.
The final race took place in Andorra on Saturday April 7, where Farrell secured a 6th place, ensuring he held onto the overall number 5 spot. It brings to the conclusion a season that included his first podium position – 3rd place in Sun Peaks, Canada.
The overall title was won by three times World Record holder Simone Origone in what was his 10th overall title in the Speed 1 category as he secured 5th place in Andorra just pipping Farrell by around half a second in speed at 183.98 KPH. Saturday’s winner was the Swiss skier, Phillipe May with a speed of 185.68 KPH. With fresh snow conditions prevailing, this was a relatively slow course compared to Vars, a week before, where Farrell reached a speed of over 221 KPH, his fastest of the season.
Farrell commented: “This season is a dream come true, my fourth in the S1, the podium in Canada, the perfect overall standing, I couldn’t be happier. This result gives me fuel for seasons to come and is the best moment of my career".
And on the final race of the season in Andorra, he said: “6th place, that felt good, a stable run and I didn’t risk it as there was high wind. But I had a good run and I’m happy. Season end, and ready for next year”.
Jan is now heading back home in preparation for becoming a father and intends to take some time off for the birth of his first child, due later this month. He intends to resume training during the summer to prepare for next winter where his goal is to increase his overall standing and secure more podium positions.
Jan Farrell has also talented Alpine ski racers to experience the speed ski discipline as he plans to start high-performance development program
Jan Farrell is looking to start a high performance program to help develop, train and introduce talented Alpine ski racers to the speed ski discipline. During the final race of the season in Andorra, Jan invited three racers including Radim Palan from Czech Republic, Rocio Apraiz from Spain and Britain’s Peter Whelan – a former British Team Ski Cross racer now competing in the ‘Speed 2’ category where he secured a 2nd place in Andorra on Sunday April 7.
Jan will be inviting more skiers into the program during the 2019 winter season and will be announcing more details later in 2018, including criteria for qualification.
