Letter from BLAIR AITKEN to English Ski Council 5th October 1999
Copied to: British Ski & Snowboard Federation & Snowsport Scotland
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European Dry Ski Slopes Championships 1999
I am writing to comment on the claims made by the manager of South African Ski racer Alex Heath after his disqualification in the European Championships. Unfortunately as I do not have access to the internet, nor do I have a manager to look out for such remarks on my behalf, I have been rather late in my reply. I was only made fully aware of his accusations at the Welsh Championships (2nd/3rd of October) when I received a copy from a fellow racer. When I read the offending statements I was understandably upset about this defamation of character as it puts a cloud over what was, in my opinion. one of the most enjoyable and well run competitions I have ever taken part in.
Unfortunately I feel the damage has already been done as the protest by Mr. Heath's manager has been read by many people involved in the sport a lot of whom have questioned me about the accusations at the various events since the Europeans. I feel the only just way to put it to rest is to let these people know of my opinion of the events and hopefully show them that I am not a bad sportsman, and certainly not the cheat that I am made out to be in the fore mentioned protest.
This is why I am requesting that the English Ski Council place a copy of this letter alongside the protest where it is clearly visible for anybody reading it. I would also be grateful if a short note could be sent out on the 1999.3 ESC seed list or with any information that the English Ski Council may be sending out before then, in a similar fashion to the comment that was made on where to find Mr. Heath's protest. This is so that people who have already read the comments are aware of my reply.
Below is a copy of the relevant section (section iv) from the protest regarding myself and below that is my opinion of events.
iv) They awarded 1st prize Junior II and 3rd prize overall to a skier (Blair Aitken) who committed more than one illegal activity in the 1st run of the race.
a) He failed to correctly pass through ('straddled') a gate in the upper part of the course: this was not only clear to the general spectators in the area but to his own countrymen who were heard to remark that they had now lost their best skier. This is also clear to see on video of the incident.
b) He failed to obey clear signals from the gate judges to stop racing as the previous racer was lying prone just across the finish line and receiving aid from another. The signals are clear on the video, including one official running back out of the way as this skier charged past.
c) Intended to ask for a rerun, which request was subsequently announced, he passed straight across the finish line, endangering the skier and helper, instead of correctly passing to the side of the finish line.
We were led to believe that the re-run was refused on the basis that, since he had straddled a gate, be would be disqualified anyway, but then was not disqualified"
I will deal with my so called "illegal activities" one at a time:
a) During the run I was not aware of any gates being straddled, however in the upper part of the course a gate did hit my tip causing to jolt forward, the gate though I was positive went the correct way around the skis and I am certain that my boots passed correctly around the gate. I was made aware that many people believed it to be a straddle and so decided to just wait and see what the gate keeper had to say as they would have been in the best position to judge.
If Alex does have my run on video I would be delighted to watch it, I rarely get to see myself race on the television. As for the mysterious fellow countrymen that seemed to be present when Mr. Heath was watching my run I would have liked to have met them and then possibly I would have been able to enter a Scottish dual slalom team because as far as I was aware I was the only Scot there!
b)When I am racing I am focusing on one thing, getting down the course in as little time as possible, very little enters my mind apart from where I can make more speed from on the course, this is possibly why I was completely unaware of the gate judges signalling me. Off course I was aware of the gatekeeper on the slope but I thought he was there to put a gate back in, a common occurrence in snow competitions where I normally race, and I saw that by the time I reached that gate he would be safely out of the way.
c)When I reached the finish I was told by a race official at the bottom that it may be necessary for me to have a re-run and that I should ask at the top. I knew the rule and because I had gone through the finish did not expect to be given a re-run, nor did I see it necessary as the gatekeeper did not get in my way and the previous racer was a considerable distance away from me when I went through the finish. The only reason I inquired at the top was because I had been advised to do so by a race official and when I did I explained that I did not see a re-run to be necessary as I had gone through the finish but if they wanted me to do so I would have obliged.
Unfortunately I did not see the previous racer and the official in the finish until the last couple of gates by which time it would have been dangerous for myself and the people around the bottom for me to avoid going through the finish which took up the majority ot the width of the slope.
The re-run was not refused because they believed I had straddled as Mr. Heath's manager seems to presume, it was refused because I had gone through the finish and I agreed with their decision entirely.
Hopefully the English Ski Council will allow my position to be heard as much as Mr. Heath's Manager's comments were and I would appreciate it if I could be informed first before my name is to be used in such a manner in the future. Hopefully this matter can be settled without pursuing this any further and I can concentrate on training for the sport that I love.
Yours,
Blair Aitken.