It says it is minus 5 outside at the moment but the sun is up and it is time to go racing for the Delancey British Alpine Championships! Day one sees the National Championship Super G followed by the Junior Super G for both Men and Women. Who is out there to watch out for?
Alex Tilley and Cara Brown lead the way for the British girls. Both have had great seasons, Tilley has been making headlines on the World Cup and Brown has been steadily improving and should give Tilley a challenge in both races. Brown goes 5 in the National Championship race, Tilley 10. Also starting in the top 15 seeds are Nicole Ritchie (6), Alice Macaulay (8), Jessica Anderson (9), Natalia Harte (11) and Giulia Harte (15). Seven British Girls all challenging for the honours - this is a huge improvement on last year in terms of numbers and standard!
Also watch out for some of the rising talent: Yasmin Cooper gave a great account of herself at the Youth Olympics in February, she goes 17, Sofia Iglina goes 19, Ella Still 20 and Erika Heginbotham 21.
For the National Junior Championship Natalia Harte 1, Giulia Harte goes 3*, Anderson 4*, Ritchie 6*, Tilley 10, Macaulay 12* and Brown 15. The rest have the same number as for the NC race. Those with stars are Juniors. Sadly no Darcie Mead this year due to injury.
In the Men's race no British men start in the top 15 which is dominated by the French, Matthieu Bailet has the best points with 11.64. First Brit is Billy Major with number 24 (wearing bib 64) followed closely by the defending British Champion Max Baggio (bib 66). Roy Steudle makes a welcome return to the British Championships starting just after Baggio, bib 69 with Oliver Davies bib 71. Paul Henderson will be looking to get valuable time on the hill starting 80 and Laurie Taylor 86. Iain Innes will be looking to put in a performance similar to his Youth Olympics performance as he starts 88, Euan Kick goes 90, Fraser Buchan 93, Jake Lismore 94, Ireland's Kieran Norris goes 96, Oli Eaton 97 and Jordan Fellows 98. Zak Vinter continues a strong British Junior contingent with bib 99, Fraser Middleton 100, Scott Buchan 102, Toby Deighton 103 and Rory Farren 104.
With members of the Inter Services team also in the field, it is great to see numbers of British racers and International racers improving in the speed events!
The sun is out, breakfast is eaten, it is time to go racing!
The full start list is available at http://www.teambss.org.uk/news-info/news/delancey-british-alpine-championships-2016-startlists-and-results