With a number of racers having been recently informed that they had made their countries Olympic qualifying standard, the Welsh Championship Slalom in Champery (Les Crosets) gave some of the rising future stars an opportunity to see how they stood against forthcoming Olympians. ... Like in the girls race, Marco Reymond used bib number 1 to its full capacity to take the win ahead of Alexandru Barbu and Ross Peraudo from Australia taking third. Zac Pierce, taking part in his first FIS race was the best of the Welsh racers with Max Baggio in tenth place, the best of the British racers.
Despite the poor visibility the foresight of the race organisers to swap the programme around meant that the race happened and was completed with the minimum of disruption. Constant care and attention to the course meant that if the racers let their skis run and stayed relaxed, good times were possible. Easier said than done perhaps but experience in these conditions is earned and does not happen overnight.
Reymond served note of intent on the first run with a devastating run that saw him lead by over a second. The rest had to play catch up. Reymond needed to ski safe to take the win. Barbu was rewarded for his fastest second run time with moving up to second place overall and despite edging Reymond, Peraudo held on for third overall.
In the race amongst the British racers, Max Baggio took tenth overall to be fastest British racer and also score his best result in any discipline this season and in his career. Ashley Breese rose from a start of 31 to place 14th and also score a career best result across the disciplines. Kieran Norris, racing against his father in a FIS race for the first time, also posted a career best score finishing in 16th spot. Two days after scoring his first sub 100 FIS point result, Robert Trebilcock posted another improvement with a 73 point result, just ahead of Peter Glasgow.
Zac Pierce, in his first FIS race, was the best of the Welsh racers in 30th spot, having started with bib 81. Pierce was delighted with his result.
With 20 different nations taking part and being made to feel welcome at the Welsh Alpine Championships, the vast number of racers that managed to score good results was testament to the hard work put in on both sides.
Next up is the Giant Slalom...
Full Results