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Winter Olympics: Australia’s Laura Peel crashes out in brutal women’s aerials final

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Catherine HealeyThe West Australian
VideoAustralian Laura Peel has crashed out of the women's aerials final at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Australia’s Laura Peel has crashed out of the women’s aerials final in a moment of devastation in Beijing.

Peel was the third jumper out in Monday night’s final, but couldn’t stick her landing as she slid down the Secret Garden Olympic Aerials Course.

Peel was able to get to her feet, and finished with a 78.56 for fifth place.

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“It hasn’t been her night,” 7Sport commentator Jacqui Cooper said.

“It looked like a wind factor, rather than a take-off factor so not human error here.

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“Beautiful in the air... but unfortunately that high, going that far down the landing hill, it’s an impossibility to land that jump.”

Laura Peel reacts to the result.
Camera IconLaura Peel reacts to the result. Credit: Dan Himbrechts/AAPIMAGE

Australia had started the first of the women’s aerials finals with two medal hopes on Monday night.

After qualifying at the top of the leaderboard, it wasn’t a great start for Peel after she crashed on her first attempt.

Quickly signalling she was OK, Peel had a chance to catch her breath before her second jump. And while she didn’t perfectly execute her landing on the second attempt, she did enough to score 100.02 and go through to the final in fourth position.

“We did see her drag the hands on landing, which normally would get a significant deduction,” 7Sport commentator Lydia Lassila said.

“I was anticipating scores in the 80s, but she’s ended up with a score of 100.

“We’re not complaining about that, we’ll take it.”

But it wasn’t to be for Asutralian teammate Danielle Scott, who used her second jump to attempt a triple somersault with two twists, but failed to stick the landing.

Instead, her back bounced onto the snow, leaving her with a score of 64.79.

Scott’s first attempt scored her a 71.23, leaving her to finish 10th.

“Sorry everyone, I let everyone down,” she said as she fought back tears.

It was a heartbreaking finish for Scott, who trained for months solo at a water facility in Brisbane.

VideoAkmarzhan Kalmurzayeva had a terrifying moment attempting her second jump.

“Danielle Scott here, what a gallant effort,” Cooper said.

“I hope everyone understands that level of effort at home. This jump is difficult.

“I’m just glad that she’s safe. I’m devastated for her.”

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