A late qualification rule change will keep Tongan skier, Kasete Naufahu Skeen out of the 2019 FIS Alpine Skiing World Championships in Åre, Sweden.

Kasete completed two runs in the qualification race in Sweden last Friday where he finished 107 out of 108 competitors. Twelve of the original starters failed to finish.

The 36-year-old thought he had qualified in one of the reserved spots for countries that have only one representative at the event such as Tonga, but he told Radio New Zealand’s Vinnie Wylie that despite not being able to race in the World Championships, he still reached his goal of finishing both races.

“I achieved what I set out to achieve. The fact that they changed the qualification criteria just at the last minute doesn’t detract from the fact that I made the goal that was originally set out for me.”

“So, yeah, I’m happy with what I’ve done. I’m pleased to have represented Tonga.”

Kasete aims to build on what he has done so far since coming back from an injury caused while training in New Zealand to qualify for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

He said he will now look at the upcoming National Swedish Championships which is open to all nationalities.