L a t e s t  n e w s ..... Rachel Adcock and Gerard Flahive win both races at Scottish Dry Slope Championships ...

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

Robinson keeps it in the family with promise to his Mum! Adcock recaptures form to win women's race.

The second race in the five race Inghams Grand Prix Series saw Nick Robinson, one of the rising stars of British Ski Racing, follow in his father and brother's footsteps in winning a Grand Prix race. In sunny yet cold conditions, almost reminiscent of the snow races six weeks earlier, Robinson kept his cool while others lost theirs in the pursuit of victory.  Local knowledge in the course setting from Colin Tee saw a first run challenge set that gave the racers a lot to think about before Craig Ruddick, a past winner on the slope, set a demanding and challenging course for the second run. Too often courses are set that make the skiers look and think that they are better than their ability is and with the second run, racers had to wake up to the need for more attention when inspecting a course. Pendle is unique with its green matting yet the rollers at the top followed by the flat section further down the slope and Ruddick used every inch of the length of the slope in setting a 19 gate course for the second run!

Robinson admitted that while waiting for the second run that he was nervous as many racers failed to negotiate the tight section midway down the slope. Lightness of feet and attention to the need to carve turns meant that many racers came to grief on the second run.  And not just the less experienced racers! Seeing the likes of David Ryding, British Slalom Champion, forerunning on the slope he learnt to ski, gave many an idea as to how the course should be skied (even he came out when forerunning one of the runs!).  Having felt that he should have won the previous round, won by his older brother Olly, Nick skied a smooth and tidy first run and then let the others do their best to try and catch him up on the second. One by one they pushed too hard and came out. At times it is faster to ski conservatively than to go all out! With exams taking many of the field that had raced in Norfolk, younger racers were able to stack claim to positions that they would not normally attain yet history will record them getting these results! With three to go Marcus Orrell found himself in the lead with Dan Wyatt in the start gate. Wyatt used his head and skied well within himself to take the lead.  Next up was Alex Jeal from Gloucester. Jeal has a history of sitting on the back of his skis and from then it is 50:50 as to whether he gets down. After inspecting the course, Jeal mentioned that if ever there was a time to stay forward, then this was it. The question was would he listen to his own advice?  Coming over the rollers Jeal was on the edge as he was looking for his career best result position wise. Through the hairpin and down through the last few tight turns Jeal gave it his all as the crowd wondered if he could hold the line. He did and took the lead ahead of Wyatt.  All eyes went to the top and Robinson.  A first run lead of 0.45seconds was what he held. Talking after the race, Robinson felt that had he had to chase a time, he would probably have come out yet he was able to ski within himself and smooth - testament to how he has matured as a racer in the last few years!

In the women's race, despite being low on numbers due to being in exam season, a number of the top racers were still up for the challenge of taming the Pendle slope. Charlotte Evans, Rachel Adcock and Emily Goddard, all past GP winners were there to do battle with the rising talents of Alessia Thomas Jackson, Scotland's Louise Bain and local talent Emily Whitelock.  While the challenge from Thomas Jackson fizzled out with a straddle on the first run, Evans crashed out spectacularly on the second and this left Adcock to record her first win of the season ahead of Emily Goddard and a rejuvenated and determined Lucy Peel!

While the talk of how to improve the number of racers taking part raged at the side of the slope during the race, those that missed out on the second of the five race series, missed out on a challenging yet exciting race! The GP series is there to challenge racers with difficult course set, the club national is there for the easier course! Racers need to use the time they get for inspection to pay attention to the course and not just as a social time!

Through the age groups there were wins for Dan Poth (Children 1, 8th overall), Sam Fairbairn (Ch2); Michael Malloy (Jun 1); Nick Robinson (Jun 2), Dan Wyatt (Sen) and Andrew Hjortt (Masters) in the men's race while Emma Peters (Ch 1), Louise Bain (Ch2 - 5th Overall); Lucy Peel (Jun 1 - 3rd Overall); Katie Adams (Jun 2 - 4th Overall), Rachel Adcock (Sen - winner overall) and Janet Earnshaw Hamilton (Masters) all won in the Women's race.

Next stop Sunderland!

For full results click here

To get thumbnails of the racing click here