L a t e s t  n e w s ..... Kelly Sage comes out of retirement to win British Indoor ahead of Alessia Thomas Jackson, Joe Ogden pushes James Foster into second in the men ... Ogden also wins final round of Salomon Xscape Indoor Series, Emily Whitelock wins girls race

'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams' (Eleanor Roosevelt).

Blue sky and temperatures that warmed up through the day meant that the Opening round of the Celtic Cup series, sponsored for the second year by Oppdal, got off to a great start.  As in years gone by this series has attracted some of the best young dry slope talent from across England and Wales.  Such is the appeal of the Celtic Cup that racers came from as far away as Plymouth and Wessex in the south, Tyneside in the North and London in the East.  With all age groups being catered for, the racing was of a high standard.

The first run saw a large number of the faster skiers come out as they encountered the unusual sight of a delay gate on the plastic slope as they sped quickly into the bumps nearing the finish!  Not to be outdone by the Robin Kellen set first run, Headley Beavis set a four gate verticale on the second run!

The first round in the girls was won convincingly by Hemel's Jayme Baggio.  Despite still being in the Children 2 age group, Baggio showed that she is one of the rising talents to come from the Phil Brown coached group at Hemel.  With her success on the snow recently, Baggio is a force to be reckoned with and a talent for the future.  Baggio won both runs to finish ahead of Rachel Adcock (Junior 2 winner) and Abby Clifford (Junior 1 winner).  Rachel Adcock came from fourth after a slight lacklustre first run with the third quickest second run.  With Abby Clifford only taking part in the first round of the weekend due to other commitments, she put in two solid runs that saw her take third ahead of fast improving Lauren Cadman from Stoke and a rather disappointed Alive Thelwell.  Shannon Taylor took top honours in the Children 1 age group just behind Kirsty Stevens who won the Senior age group, the two finishing in 19th and 18th respectively.

After his disappointment in not managing to take top honours in his home Grand Prix the week before, Georgie Hunt returned to one of his favoured slopes from the days he dominated dry slope ski racing.  Hunt comfortably won ahead of Marc Telling (2nd) and fast improving Andrew Watson (Cardiff) in third and first in Children 2.  Watson's second run, using the new Elan's, although comfortably behind Hunt and Telling, was an excellent example of carving and fast smooth skiing down the Headley Beavis set course.  Luke McCarthy (Hemel) and Jai Geyer (Wessex) took the remaining places in the top five.  With Hunt winning the Senior age group and Watson taking Children 2, McCarthy took Junior 1 as Hugh Wilson upheld local honour in taking Junior 2 in 8th place overall. Children 1 was won by Jake Williams in 28th place. Paul Bunton won the Masters in 25th place.

The minis race was won in the girls race by Stephanie Davies ahead of Alex Bullock and Sarah Lamden.  Max Baggio came from behind to beat Ashley Breese into second with Mikey Knowles taking third.

For full results click here

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