L a t e s t  n e w s ..... Vonn stuns slalom specialists to win in Levi with Pieitiae Holmer second and Maria Riesch in third.... Grange wins mens race from Miller and Kostelic .... Chemmy Alcott suffers clean break of ankle in training in North America, expected to be out till New Year .... Lindsey Vonn injures left knee in training Super G in Copper Mountain, no lay off details announced

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

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ALL MEMBERS 20/05/08
IT IS WITH REGRET THAT THE CHAIRMAN AND COACH HAVE HAD TO TAKE A DECISION TO CANCEL ALL FURTHER TRAINING SESSIONS AT SWADLINCOTE SKI CENTRE.
THE DECISION WAS TAKEN ON SAFETY GROUNDS AFTER A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE SLOPE DURING THE SESSION ON 19th. MAY, THIS INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE STATE OF WEAR HAS ACCELERATED IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS AND IS NOW SO BAD THAT IT COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS TO OUR ATHLETES.
A FULLER EXPLANATION OF THE PROBLEM, THE SLOPE MANAGEMENT PLANS AND FURTHER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE E-MAILED TO ALL MEMBERS IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
IN THE MEANTIME THE TRAINING DATES PAGE WILL BE REPLACED BY A NEW PAGE GIVING DETAILS OF ANY TRAINING THAT BECOMES AVAILABLE.
 
Dear Arrows Members
It is with regret that on Monday evening the decision was taken to cease Arrows Training at Swadlincote Ski Centre. 
Jez and Ellis have been increasingly concerned over the last few months about the rapidly deteriorating condition of the Sno-Flex matting that the slope is covered in.  Shrinkage, causing gaps of 2/3 cms between the mats and wear to the pile, resulting in bare patches on significant areas of the slope has lead to Jez feeling that it is not a safe environment for our members to ski. 
Jez is unable to set a safe course and the worn pile on the matting does not allow skiers to to develop their skiing technique and skills.
We do not feel as a club, that we can condone our members training on this potentially dangerous surface.
Our concerns have been strongly expressed to Ryan Grewcock, the manager of the slope.  Ryan has said that there are plans to replace the matting - but he is unsure of the timing of this.  We will revisit the slope in September/October to see if any progress with this has been made and will let you know if we are then in a position to resume training.

In the meantime, we will arrange that in the next few weeks you are re-imbursed the membership fees that you have paid for this 12 month period.

As discussed on Monday night with members parents who were present - there are two possible alternatives for you to consider for training - the Midlands Ski Club ski at Ackers in central Birmingham.  Access to this slope is fairly easy if you have easy access to the M42 - please see http://www.midlandski.org.uk/index.php for more information. 
There is also now Race Training taking place at Tamworth Snow-dome.  Please see Arrows web pages for details -  http://www.arrowsskiracing.moonfruit.com/#/traininginformation/4527812134.  If you wish to attend these sessions, please do contact Steve (who runs these sessions) first and also let Ellis know.

Gill Hall