Dalmeny's 15-year-old snowboarding prodigy, Valentino Guseli, has made an impressive World Cup debut in Switzerland.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hailing from Dalmeny, the young athlete left in September to try his luck in The Laax Open 2021 Halfpipe, January 19-23.
He surprised judges who were eyeing off competitors' amplitude, technical difficulty, variety and overall execution.
The Laax halfpipe is an impressive 200 metres long - the longest competition halfpipe in the world.
It is 21-metres wide and has a perfect 18-degree slope with seven metre-high walls, giving riders a launchpad to send them soaring.
Guseli was in pole position come semi-finals, however fell in two of his runs. Names to beat were Yuto Totsuka (Japan), Scotty James (Australia) and Ruka Hirano (Japan).
"I was super nervous before the comp, but after I stomped my first run I knew I could have fun and go for it," Valentino said.
Finally old enough to compete in the World Cup, Valentino knew his limits and played it safe, pulling out when tricks didn't go as planned.
Late at night, his parents stayed up at home to watch him compete live online.
"The first run is always a bit nerve wracking for me," Ms Guseli said.
I was super nervous before the comp, but after I stomped my first run I knew I could have fun and go for it.
- Valentino Guseli
"Once I see how he rides in that first run - if he is comfortable and confident, I try and enjoy it without getting nervous. I trust what he does, and he knows how to do it.
"He is really good at making split decisions in the air. If something isn't going perfectly, he knows how to stay safe.
"He didn't land a new trick. If he didn't pull out of it, he would have come unstuck badly."
Valentino will keep training halfpipe and slopestyle with his American coach before returning home in April.
"He has really enjoyed his time over there and has made the most of it," Ms Guseli said.
He is aiming to qualify for slopestyle and big air in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Valentino was known for having a strong work ethic, drive and passion for the sport and is well on his way to achieving great things in the future. A recent motto he shared was: "there's no point in doing it if you aren't having fun."
Valentino has kept up his schooling through distance education and has now entered year 11. Keep an eye on his journey by following his Instagram or Facebook page.
To watch the replay of the Laax World Cup, CLICK HERE.