‘Happy tears’ for Australian skier Britt Cox after placing fifth in moguls

VIDEO: SHE failed to win a medal but, for Britt Cox, fifth place in the ladies’ moguls final felt like a win, not a loss.

SHE failed to win a medal but, for Britt Cox, fifth place in the ladies’ moguls final felt like a win, not a loss.

“It definitely feels like a win, these are happy tears right now,” the bubbly 19-year-old said after the so-called “superfinal” at Roza Khutor Extreme Park.

“I am definitely happy with my skiing tonight and, yeah, just so happy to have all the support I have behind me here in Sochi.”

News_Rich_Media: The freestyle moguls skier may not have won a medal but Britt Cox has made Australia proud, and won over many hearts.

Cox’s parents and brother Hamish have made the trek over to Russia from their home in Mt Beauty, Victoria, the small town beneath Falls Creek ski resort, where Cox skied moguls as a little girl.

Their presence brought out the waterworks big time.

“I saw my family and I couldn’t stop,” Cox said.

This was Cox’s second Olympic outing. She made the Vancouver team while aged just 15, and is now a two-Games veteran yet still a teenager.

One of three Aussies in the final field of 20 alongside Taylah O’Neill and Nicole Parks, Cox fought her way through the gruelling new elimination format, her skiing improving with every run.

News_Image_File: Britt Cox in action for Australia.

When the field of 20 was reduced to 12, Cox was the only Australian remaining.

She put down her best run of the Games in the round of 12, her smooth turns and flawless jumps ensuring she qualified for the superfinal featuring just six skiers.

Cox skied third in the superfinal. Her early turns were fast and aggressive and she looked a massive medal chance.

But she then appeared to tire in the last third of her run as the long night of skiing took its toll.

She went into the second of two jumps a little off balance, and while her air was clean, her landing was a little shaky.

“That was probably the difference,” Cox said.

“But I’m happy with my skiing tonight and really excited for what I can do in the future.”

Canada claimed a one-two with sisters Justine (22.44 points) and Chloe Dufour-Lapointe (21.66) while 2010 Games champion, American Hannah Kearney, looked to be overscored in claiming third place (21.49).

Cox (19.43) had earlier spent the day relaxing and having lunch with her parents in the warm, sun-drenched valley below the extreme park.

Australian athletes have talked repeatedly about staying relaxed and having fun at these Games, and this was clearly Cox’s plan.

It worked for her too, with the best ever result for an Australian-born mogul skier.

Not quite good enough for a medal, perhaps, but Cox has her eye firmly on the 2018 Games in Korea, where she could easily be the gold medal favourite.

News_Rich_Media: Check out all the highlights from the Winter Olympics as the first day of events unfold in Sochi.

HOW THE AUSSIES FARED

Men’s slopestyle snowboarding: Scotty James - 16th

Women’s moguls: Britt Cox - 5th, Nicole Parks - 15th, Taylah O’Neill - 16th

Men’s luge: Alex Ferlazzo - 31st (after first two runs)

Men’s biathlon 10km sprint: Alex Almoukov: 73rd