7 June saw the 2nd English Indoor Ski and Snowboard Cross Championships, organised by Snowsport England, take place at Chill Factore, Manchester where over 90 athletes took part, including international standard skiers and snowboarders and athletes competing in their first ever event. ...Â
With the English indoor snow scene still buzzing following last season's Winter Olympic Games, the impressive turn out of riders produced some exciting racing for the spectators on a course designed both for experienced athletes and those new to competitive racing.
The men's snowboard cross was won by Kyle Wise who was unbeatable on the day winning qualifying and taking the overall title for the 2nd year in a row. 2nd place went to Charles Bullock with Tom Farrow taking bronze. In the women's snowboard cross event, the title of English Champion went to Skyla Bailey with Gillian Finnerty taking silver and Anna Ross taking bronze.
The women's ski cross event was won for the 2nd year in a row by England Ski Cross Squad athlete, Emma Peters. Emma was 17th at the 2014 World Junior Championships and is going from strength to strength in ski cross. In 2nd place was Rachel Symonds with Ella Slater finished 3rd.
The men's ski cross winner was Sam Allen who just held off the challenge of his England Squad team mate, Will Wheeler. Both Allen and Wheeler are international ski cross athletes. Allen competed in the 2014 World Junior Championships and Wheeler recorded a great top 16 result in a North American Cup race in April. Third place went to local rider Matt Reed.
The Championships also played host to a special event before the finals, a team head to head race in aid of the #Race4Cam campaign. Cameron McGregor Ogden from Cheshire was the 2013 English Indoor Youth Ski Cross Champion and is now undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with Leukaemia. Teams of 4 (made up of a mix of genders and a mix of skiers and snowboarders) went head to head against each other, with the exciting format going down a storm with all the athletes. Along with a raffle the event raised over £500 for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. You can donate to #Race4Cam here www.justgiving.com/race4cam/
Ian Findlay, Snowsport England Talent Development Officer “I'm delighted that the second running of the English Indoor Ski/Snowboard Cross Championships has been a success. It's is fantastic to see so many skiers and snowboarders having fun on the slopes and racing hard. This event is a great way to bring together the snowsports community and to see athletes from a variety of disciplines all developing their skills and the more experienced athletes inspiring the next generation.”
A big thanks to all the volunteers on the day, especially organiser Felix Robinson, plus and Chris David from Chill Factore and all the athletes and parents.
For more information visit ww.snowsportengland.org.uk
Picture of Emma Peters courtesy of David Allen