Day four of the English Alpine Ski Championships saw six athletes crowned English Champions as the action continued on the snowy slopes of Bormio with a FIS Giant Slalom and an Under 16/14 Super G.
In the FIS Giant Slalom on the Stella Alpina piste, conditions were tricky with fog affecting the racing for most of the day, ultimately resulting in the cancellation of the second run of the Men’s GS, thus no final results for the men.
In the women’s race, Nicole Ritchie continued her domination of the Championships, clocking up another win in the Under 21 category, and was the fastest Brit overall. Behind her was fellow Scot Ella Still who clinched second place. In third, and being crowned English Under 21 Ladies GS Champion was Amber Buckland.
For the Under 18s, Jess Anderson recorded another win in her age category and was crowned English Under 18 Ladies GS Champion. Francesca Lee claimed second place with a quick second run time to overtake Katya Bingle-Williams who was lying second after the first run. She eventually finished in third position.
In the Women’s Senior/ Masters age category, Abbie Macey took the win in front of Amanda Alldridge.
Quotes from age group winners & English GS Champions:
Nicole Ritchie said: “It was a very tough day for everyone I think. I got pretty lucky and managed to get two non-foggy runs in which definitely counted in my favour. Luck’s usually not on my side but today I guess it was. I was trying not to think about the weather too much before my run, but the coaches were all saying the fog was coming in. It’s tough waiting around at the top for it to clear. Again Jess and Ella pushed me hard today, but it feels good to be top again after yesterday and I definitely can’t complain with the ski - I’m very happy.”
Amber Buckland said: “My first run was good but my second wasn’t as I made quite a big mistake in the middle. But I had to spend a long time in the start gate as we waited for the fog to clear, so all things considered it was definitely alright. Another podium finish after my first one ever yesterday is great, and to come as the top English skier is a really brilliant surprise. I really wasn’t expecting that and it is amazing. My first national title is definitely a big deal.”
Jess Anderson said: “It was interesting for sure. The weather definitely wasn’t on our side and the thick fog on the second run made it pretty hard. But overall I am happy that I got down, but without the fog I definitely would have skied a lot better. At the top I tried to not think about the weather at all as I didn’t want to psyche myself out, so I was thinking I just wanted to ski as hard as I have been doing in training as it’s been going really well. Generally my results this week have been good and I’m really happy to get my second English title of the week. I won this last year and I was very keen to win it again.”
The Under 16 and Under 14 racers tackled their second Super G in two days, with today’s race producing the English Super G Champions.
The Under 16 boys race was an exciting affair with yesterday’s Super G winner Owen Vinter from Glasgow Ski Racing being pushed down into second place by Matthew Heginbotham from British Ski Academy. He put in a phenomenal run to take the win and was crowned English Under 16 Super G Champion. Charles Rankin from British Ski Academy, who finished second in Sunday’s GS, came in third.
For the Under 14 boys, Evolution’s Jack Cunningham couldn’t take the win two days in a row, being beaten into third by Joe Christy of British Ski Academy. He was the fastest Under 14 boy down the course, while Evolution’s Jonathan Marshall put in a speedy run to take second place. Jack, however, was crowned English Under 14 Super G Champion, as both Jack and Joe are registered in Scotland.
In the girls Super G, it was a closer affair than yesterday for the Under 14s, with British Ski Academy’s Daisi Daniels again taking the win to become English Champion, but by just .04 of a second from Ambition Racing’s Siena Horton. Third place went to Rebecca Chastney from British Ski Academy who improved on her sixth place finish from yesterday.
The Under 16 race saw the same three girls on the podium, but with first and second swapping places. Yesterday’s second-place finisher Alicja Krahelski from EDEP/Telford was crowned English Champion, taking the win from yesterday’s Super G winner Sarah Woodward from Ambition Racing. Hannah Boeffen-Gallagher from British Ski Academy took third for the second day in a row.
Quotes from age group winners & English Super G Champions:
Daisi Daniels said: “I thought my run was going okay until the hidden roller. I went flying off the roller and was on one leg for quite a while. I don’t know how I managed to save it but I did and then just hoped for the best! I am very happy I took the victory but only just. It was a lot tighter than yesterday’s Super G.”
Alicja Krahelski said: “It is great to take the win. I was less cautious than yesterday and I attacked the course more. I laid it on the line. In the start gate I felt pretty relaxed. I had the mind set I can just go for it or ski out. I had nothing to lose. You never know how the race will go, because skiing is so unpredictable. You just have to ski your best, not worry about everyone else and see how you go. I would never predict the win, I am really happy I am English Champion for Super G.”
Joe Christy said: “I felt faster than yesterday and I am happy to take the win, but when I crossed the line I wasn’t sure if I had actually gone faster, because the course was quick for everyone. I attacked from the start and just didn’t hold back. Maybe that was the difference between today and yesterday.”
Jack Cunningham said: “I am pretty disappointed. I didn’t ski well. I was too straight and skidded too much. I think I was thinking too much about attacking it and not about being clean. I think I need to concentrate more on skiing the line rather than just thinking about skiing fast. I expected to do better than I did today, but I guess it is good that I am in the top three.”
Matthew Heginbotham said: “I am really happy with taking the win. I wasn’t expecting it at all. The run felt alright, but it must have been faster than I thought. I worked a lot with my coaches on the line and I think that paid off. I am nervous about the slalom. It isn’t my strongest discipline so I will wait and see how I do.”
The full results can be viewed on the English Alpine Championships website: www.englishalpinechamps.org.uk. All the action can be followed on Twitter @SnowsportEng / #AlpineChamps and the Snowsport England page on Facebook.
Tomorrow the action continues with the FIS Super Combined on the Stelvio piste and the U12/U10 Combi on the Stella Alpina race piste.
Snowsport England would like to thank the continued sponsorship and support of the event by main sponsors Rossignol, Vital, Endsleigh and prize sponsors Ski Bartletts and Ski Bitz Ski Racing Supplies.