Callum Henderson gave the younger racers a lesson in how to conquer Hillend. In the last few years the twenty five year old has made Hillend his own with few racers able to live with his unique style down the hill. Those that have bettered his time have ... moved on to bigger and better things on snow. While one of the rising talents on snow in FIS racing came closest, Zak Vinter, it was Vinter's younger brother, Owen, that gave the older racers a real wake up call as he took third overall. Ross Taylor took fourth with Adam Lee taking fifth.
Henderson was fastest on both runs as he used his power and strength to drive himself down the hill. As the top seed in the race, Henderson knew that he would have to battle his way down the 28 gate course. There was no way he admitted after the race, that he would allow the younger racers the chance to just take the win. Despite being the oldest in the race, he still wanted the win. Henderson dragged his body down the hill and was rewarded with victory by over a second from the elder Vinter.
Zak Vinter, just back from recording some very impressive Slalom and Giant Slalom results in Australia was chasing Henderson on both runs and in the second run came within two tenths of Henderson's time - impressive racing. Henderson and Vinter were the class acts in the men's race and were the only two racers to go under the magic thirty second mark on both runs, Henderson going under 29 seconds on both runs!
Owen Vinter was one of the real stars and racers to watch in the Under 14 age group last winter, notching up race wins in his first year in the Children's age groups on snow. This was his most impressive result on plastic in his short career to date. It is only in the summer that he gets to race against older racers out of the Children's scene and while three seconds off Henderson (who is 12 years his senior) he gave many older racers a serious cuffing! If Ryan is one to watch in the girls racing, the Vinter is definitely one to keep a close eye on in the men's racing.
It takes time many say to learn to conquer Hillend and this makes Owen Vinter's exploits even greater to appreciate. Ross Taylor, a University student in Glasgow and Adam Lee, a University student from Birmingham, both use the race as preparation for the annual University Championships in November. While they could not live with the pace of Henderson and the two Vinter's they lead the rest of the field home with Lee putting in a much improved second run to almost take fourth from his Scottish rival.
The age group wins went to Owen Vinter (Under 14, leading three of his age group into the top ten overall), Alasdair Sandland (Under 16), Zak Vinter (Under 18), Ross Taylor (Under 21) and Callum Henderson (Senior).
Results 14scotchslres
Picture: Owen Vinter on his way to third in the Slalom at Hillend in the Scottish Championships. Credit Racer Ready - all rights reserved
More pictures available to see on www.racer-ready.ifp3.com