2019 Winter Universiade

UniRoos News

28 March 2019

UniRoos wrap up ‘real winter’ in Krasnoyarsk

The Uniroos ended a successful campaign in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, at the closing ceremony of the Winter Universiade on March 11, amongst an Olympic atmosphere that will not be soon forgotten.

Set amongst the back drop of ‘Real Winter’, the athletes were welcomed to a spectacular Games Village that played home to over 3,000 athletes and team officials across a two week games prod.

Whilst the campaign did not result in a medal performance for the UniRoos, a number of athletes set personal bests or bounced back from setbacks during competition. The quality of competition, which included multiple Winter Olympic medallists and athletes within other squads, meant that any slight mistake or error in qualifying made an already difficult challenge even more so.

Uniroos Chef de Mission, Ian Fitzpatrick said, “Our universities, sporting federations and athlete support networks should be particularly proud of the performances put in by our athletes here in Krasnoyarsk. Each person prepared and presented themselves in a professional manner and maximised the opportunity and outcomes offered within the competition”.

"The resilience and adaptability of the Uniroos group was evident and the way in which our athletes took to the challenges, both on and off the field, will stand them in good stead as they target ongoing success in 2019. Equally encouraging was the number of Uniroos from this campaign who have now firmly set their sights on selection for Switzerland 2021,” Fitzpatrick said.

Full UniRoos results

The UniRoos enter the opening ceremony at the 2019 Winter Universiade

1 March 2019

CROSS COUNTRY SKIER ANNOUNCED AS UNIROOS FLAG BEARER

La Trobe University’s Bachelor of Business student, Katerina Paul announced as Australian flag bearer for the UniRoos at the 2019 Winter Universide.

An honour for any Australian team, Katerina was the obvious choice for the UniRoos as she will call on her experience in world cup events to post a personal best performance in Krasnoyarsk.

“Having just come from the World Champs and having had a really strong U23 season, I am excited to end my season as a Uniroo and to represent La Trobe” said the 22 year old.

“To also be granted the honour of being the flag bearer, I am now more excited for the next two weeks, not just for myself but the entire Uniroos team.”

For the UniRoos Head of Delegation, Ian Fitzpatrick, the choice of Paul as the flag bearer epitomises what the Universiade is about.

“Katerina resembles everything the UniRoos looks to create opportunities around.

She is a world class person competing at a world class event and representing her home uni, La Trobe, with pride.

She will be a fantastic flag bearer and deserves the honour after years of dedication to her sport,” said Fitzpatrick.

Not only will the cross country skier be honouring her university and country at the event but also her family. Katerina’s father, Andrew, competed for Australia at the 1985 Universiade in Italy and along with wife, Sandra, both have competed for Australia in two Olympic Games.

The opening ceremony will be held at the Platinum Arena, Krasnoyarsk on Saturday 2nd March with Katerina and The University of Sydney’s Sienna Doolan (women’s snowboard cross) the first Australian competitors in action on Sunday 3rd March.

Final UniRoos team for the 2019 Winter Universiade:

Katerina Paul - Cross Country Skiing (La Trobe University, Bachelor of Business)

Phoebe Tudhope - Freestyle Skiing (UNSW Sydney, Bachelor of Science)

Robbie Morrison - Freestyle Skiing (The University of Melbourne, Bachelor of Agricultural Science)

Sienna Doolan - Snowboard (The University of Sydney, Bachelor of Veterinary Science)

Harvey Edmanson - Snowboard (RMIT University, Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design)

Amelia Jackson - Figure Skating (Queensland University of Technology, Bachelor of Journalism and Law)

Matilda Friend - Figure Skating (Macquarie University, Bachelor of Arts)

William Badaoui - Figure Skating (University of Technology Sydney, Bachelor of Architecture)

Skyler Kah - Short Track Speed Skating (Monash University, Bachelor of Medicine)

Joshua Kah - Short Track Speed Skating (The University of Melbourne, Bachelor of Science)

Liam O'Brien - Short Track Speed Skating (UNSW Sydney, Bachelor of Actuarial Studies and Commerce).

La Trobe's Katerina Paul with UniRoos Head of Delegation Ian Fitzpatrick (UWA). Photo Courtesy of Ian Fitzpatrick

7 February 2019

STAGE IS SET FOR HISTORY TO REPEAT FOR AUSTRALIA

AT THE 2019 WINTER UNIVERSIADE

In 1985 Australia etched its name into the history books with a gold and silver medal in the men’s short track speed skating event at the Winter Universiade in Belluno, Italy.

The success was achieved by now three-time Olympian, Danny Kah.

34 years later, fast forward to the 29th Winter Universiade and Kah will be reliving the past as both of his sons line up to compete in the short track speed skating.

The University of Melbourne Bachelor of Science student Joshua Kah will stand side by side with his older brother Skyler (Monash University, Bachelor of Medicine) when the short track competition commences on the 4th March.

“The more I travel to competitions around the globe, the more I find out about my dad!” said Skyler of being told of his father’s historical victory.

"Speed skating for us has always been a family activity, even today Mum, Dad, Josh and I are all part of the same club," he continued.

Of his experience at the Winter Universaide in Italy, Danny Kah reflects on the standard of the event as well as his memorable gold medal victory in the 3000m.

“In Belluno, the short track racing was a very high standard with the best Dutch, Canadian, Japanese etc skaters in the world.

For the final day of racing the whole Aussie team that didn't have their own event on came to cheer on my 3000m, and they brought the house down as I got away in the last laps to finish first. That you don't forget!” said Kah, who graduated from the University of Adelaide with a BEng Civil (Hons).

Now happy for his sons to take the family mantle in the speed skating world, Kah understands what needs to be done to finish on top at an international meet like the Universiade.

“The Universiade always brings together the best athletes in the world across all Winter Sports, so with their continued improvements this season here is the opportunity to break into the top level of their sport. In the unpredictable world of Short Track racing, they will have to race well tactically, instinctively squeeze into any gap that opens up, and time their final sprint to perfection.”

With the short track team being finalised, the UniRoos contingent is complete with the inclusion of figure skaters William Badaoui (University of Technology Sydney, Bachelor of Architecture) and Matilda Friend (Macquarie University, Bachelor of Arts) contesting the Ice Dance division and Queensland University of Technology Bachelor of Journalism and Law student, Amelia Jackson, competing in the individual women's short program.

UniRoos Head of Delegation, Ian Fitzpatrick, believes the team will demonstrate the breadth and depth of winter sport talent in Australia.

"With the inclusion of figure skaters and short track athletes, the UniRoos team is a great representation of the talent Australia is developing in the winter sport arena," said Fitzpatrick.

"I'm looking forward to supporting the team and witnessing some great competition across the event, especially by the Australians," he added.

With the opening ceremony to take place on the 2nd March, many of the UniRoos are now overseas preparing for the competition.