Snowsport GB, Hillend,
Tel: 0131-445-7676;
www.snowsportgb.com ; press@snowsportgb.com
‘Combi’ Success and
Record Results for
Following on from the hugely successful results in the
Czech international races, the British Children’s Ski Team returned from
12 year old Alessia Thomas-Jackson (Haverhill,
Suffolk), on top form throughout the week, completed two difficult runs to take
the bronze medal in the Slalom event in Arinsal, and picked up a further trophy
for her 5th place in the new FIS ‘Combi’ event.
James Filsell (14) from Cambus by Alloa, Clackmannanshire,
was placed 5th in the Giant Slalom in the older category – our best
result in this discipline here for many years.
The new FIS ‘Combi’ event attracted a lot
of interest – this was the first time it had been run. A single run
comprising a combination of GS gates, with some broad sweeping doubles that
turned sections in to a SuperG, along with rollers and jumps – and
finishing with some slalom turns – was rated a huge success by coaches
and athletes alike.
‘That was the best race I’ve ever
done’; ‘so many different things to think about’; can we have
one at the British Championships?’; ‘wow, that was amazing’;
‘the most fun’ – from team members. It left the coaches in
no doubt that this was an event for the future, an excellent test of all-round
skiing skill, with some surprising aspects (never before had they had to decide
whether to advise the racers whether to absorb a double roller or jump from one
to the next!).
Alessia Thomas-Jackson became the first British
‘Combi’ trophy winner, gaining 5th place in the younger
girls’ category, while 12 year-old Tommy Kirton, only 1.41 seconds behind
the winner, was 7th in the younger boys’ group. 14 year old Mike
Thelwell also put in an excellent performance to take 9th place in the older
age category.
With 29 nations competing,
For further details see www.gbjuniorski.com
With particular thanks to BCST sponsors Trespass,
Xscape/Sno!, Terry Bartlett, AdrenalinX, Kidski and the Skiers’ Trust