PONCELET FASTEST OF ALL IN QUALIYING IN ITALY

* Lisa Peters fastest in women’s Standup

* Abdul Mahdzan & Minne Elchje set the pace in Luge

Saturday, 15 July, NUSENNA, Italy: Spain’s Diego Poncelet lit up the time sheets at the opening round of the World Downhill Skateboarding Championship in Nusenna, Italy to go fastest of anyone in today’s official qualifying.

The defending Standup world Champion posted his best and the fastest time of the session, 1:21.603s, on his first of two runs down the 1.5km course to top the time sheets ahead of tomorrow’s knockout rounds and finals.

France’s Alexandros Tzouganakis produced an impressive second run of 1:22.740 to move up a handful of places into second spot and leapfrog world number 3 Grégoire Schwab and last year’s championship runner-up Yanis Markarian, with Harry Clarke fifth quickest ahead of Adrien Paynel.

Dutch rider Lisa Peters was the fastest woman down the hill, posting a best 1:30.007 on her second run, with France’s Lea Richard second fastest with 1:31.600, American Ashley Winecoff third quickest with 1:31.882.

Malaysia’s Abdil Mahdzan backed his world number 1 ranking in Luge, and was another to post a best time, 1:24.206s, on his first of two runs, with Mikel Echegaray Diez going second quickest with 1:25.712, Andrej Ilič third quickest with 1:26.392 and Minne Elchje the quickest of the women with 1:37.022.

All the action from Nusenna and tomorrow’s quarterfinals, semi-finals and finals will be streamed live on the WDSC web site: https://worlddownhillskateboardingchampionship.com/

SUNDAY, 16 July:

9:00: WDSC free practice.

9:30: WDSC racing begins/ LIVE STREAM STARTS.

13:00: WDSC Finals.

15:00: Freeride.

16:30: Podium ceremony.

(All Times local)