The simple answer to that question is take then to the Equity Inter Schools races that happen in March each year in Les Houches. Now in its twenty fifth year and attracts over 500 races to the races. With support from Equity, these races are firmly entrenched in the diary for many aspiring racers as well as those helping the school out to achieve results in a nationally recognised race. Many of Britain's top racers and National Team racers have raced in the races at some stage in their career. ...
Meghan Davis (Balfron High) took the win in the Giant Slalom in the Under 16 girls race while Alannah Lawrie (George Watson's) posted the fastest overall time in the Slalom. Lawrie was second in the Giant Slalom with Sasha Bruce (St John's School, Leatherhead) third. In the Slalom Emily Mollard (Lycee Mont Blanc) took second with Bruce again in third.
In the boys race Ryan Brown (Liceo Linguistico) and Calum Pitkethly (Reeds School) took the wins in the Slalom and Giant Slalom respectively. Kieren Troup (Aboyne Academy) and Daniel Dakin (Lycee Mont Blanc) joined Brown on the podium from the Slalom while Dakin (again) and Jed McNab (Frison Roche) took the podium with Pitkethly.
With GB Skier Cross racer, Emma Peters (Aiglon College) winning the oldest age group of race in the Slalom and Hugo Ng passing Robert Van Beck in the boys race, there was plenty of team spirit and encouragement from all members of each school team.
In the under 14 girls Slalom Siena Horton (Bromsgroive School) won both races ahead of Beth Whatford (West Hill Academy) with Shannon Potter (Bridgwater High School) holding on to third place ahead of Rebecca Chastney (Twycross House School). In the giant slalom Paloma Magre from Strathallen shared the race wins with Horton but on the combined time Magre won by just under half a second. Anna Rogers from Millfield took third, pipping Chastney for the Overall place after Chastney had found more speed to place third in the second run after being in fifth from the first run.
In the Under 14 boys races, Jake Doyle (Aiglon College) took the win in the Giant Slalom ahead of George Case (Sherborne Prep) and Ewan Robertson (Maidstone Grammar). Thomas Butterworth (Gyfun Bromyrddin) took fourth ahead of Diaco Abrishami (Eltham College) who had started 112th! Charles Rankin (Strathallen) took the win in the Slalom ahead of Thomas Hudson (Culford School) and Case. Abrishami again rose up the rankings from his low start number to place 6th again from a start of 110, finishing just behind Doyle.
With over 110 Under 12 and Under 10 racers also competing, this really was an event for all the age groups! With the International School in Geneva taking the top three places in the girls slalom and giant slalom in the Under 10's, with Emily Jennings winning both races and Kita O'Neill taking second in the slalom before swapping places with Tate Halestrap in the Giant Slalom.
In the Under 10 boys race, Kayne Stanway (Broughton Manor Prep) took third in the Giant Slalom before winning the Slalom. Oscar Annastassov continued the International School of Geneva's winning streak with victory in the giant slalom ahead of Alexander Ogden (Norwich School)and Stanway while in the slalom Annastassov took second behind Stanway and Ogden slotting into third.
In the Under 12 girls race Isabella Watson from Malvern St James took the win ahead of Madie Hantrals (Westbourne House) and Elektra Brown (Abbotsholme) in the Giant Slalom while Lulu Halstrap (Downe House) took the win in the slalom. Watson took second and Annie Shelley (Ipswich High) took third.
Louis Masquellier-Page (Aiglon College)took the win in the Under 12 boys Giant Slalom with the fastest time on each of the three runs - the best two times counted for the race result. Callum Ross (Bournemounth Collegiate) and Oscar Park (International School of Geneva) joined him on the podium. Masquelier-Page won the Slalom as well with Zachery Metheringham (Beachborough School) taking second and Tobuy Jennings from the International School in Geneva taking third.
So answer the question, how do you get 500 racers of all abilities smiling, you take them to the Equity Inter Schools races run by the British Ski Academy and Malcolm Erskine! Three sets of races each day all seemlessly running on two separate slopes! Great racing and great smiles all over the hills. Thanks to all the parents that kindly helped out with the gate keeping and other jobs!
Results
Action shots from all the races are on www.racer-ready.ifp3.com
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