JAMAICA’S Winter Olympics hopeful, Errol Kerr, had a rough start to his 2009/2010 season as he finished well down the pack in the FIS World Cup Ski Cross freestyle opener in Innichen, Italy.

The men’s ski cross final was held over two days in the Italian market town, with Kerr placing 58th and 54th in Monday’s and Tuesday’s races, respectively.

The 23-year-old Kerr, who is aiming to become the first athlete to represent Jamaica at the Winter Olympics in skiing, on Monday failed to progress to the Round of 32 after completing the 890m Haunold/ Baranci course in 43.93 seconds.

Kerr’s performance the following day was similar as he once again could not progress from the preliminary field of almost 90 competitors on an overcast day with temperatures recorded at -9 degrees Celsius.

Both races were won by Switzerland’s Michael Schmid, who collected 1000 points for the win, while Kerr received 14.30 points for his efforts.

It would have been a disappointing start for Kerr and coach Eric Holmer,

who, prior to this season opener, declared that training preparation had gone well.

But the Jamaican, who finished 10th in the 2009 Ski Cross World Championship in Japan, will be hoping to bounce back at the next stop in St Johann, Austria on January 5, 2010.

Kerr is preparing to compete in the Winter Olympics set for February 2010 in Vancouver, Canada, where he hopes to expand Jamaica’s winter empire joining the world renowned bobsled team.

Qualification for the 2010 Winter Olympics will be announced on January 24, after the Ski Cross World Cup in Lake Placid.