The British Indoor Series has had its detractors over the last few seasons but if the quality of racing set out in the opening race of the season is anything to go by, this is a season that will bring excitement to the hills. Robert Poth, the most exciting youngster to come from the Under 16 age group in the last few years produced a blistering second run to overcome first run leader Callum Henderson to take the win with his older brother Daniel in third place overall.
Henderson has had the series to himself over the last few years; he has been the standard bearer yet with the arrival of Robert Poth in the FIS age group, he will have his work cut out to keep his dominance going. A successful series needs competition and the arrival of the likes of Poth will bring the competition level to a higher standard and prove that this series is the most exciting and competitive in the UK during the Summer.
While the duel at the top between Henderson and the two Poth brothers was great to see, the likes of Ashley Breese and George Davies will give the podium place winners of the race something to contemplate for the remaining races of the series. With serious prizes up for grabs at the end of the season, this should encourage others to race as well.
While Henderson won the Senior age group ahead of Edward Freeman and Poth took the under 18 spoils ahead of his brother and Breese third, the under sixteen year group was the most keenly contested with eleven racers finishing. Matthew Davis took the spoils with ninth place overall. Ralph Walker-Moretti took second with Luke Thornton being elevated to third after an act of sportsmanship by Nathan Breese. Breese admitted to missing a gate on the first run and despite holding on for third passed on the prize to Thornton.
Andrew Hjort took the Masters age group win ahead of the returning Denzil Davies with John Norris taking third in another keenly contested group.
With the race returning to the format of shortened skis, some of the top racers felt that the course was too tight. Maybe with a little closer inspection and rounder turns rather than going too direct at the top gates and they may have been racing on the second run.
For more information on the British Indoor Grand Prix Series go to www.britishindoorgrandprixseries.org.uk
Pictures from the races will be available shortly on www.racer-ready.ifp3.com