Robbie Anderson proved his worthiness in being the 2018 British Dryslope Champion with an impressive second run to take the win. With the top three separated by two hundredths following the first run, it was Anderson that raised his game to take the win ahead of Thomas Upton with Scott Waitt taking third place after William Dalziel, second after the first run was disqualified on the second run. Craig Speed and Adam Hay took fourth and fifth overall.
Hillend is a slope that appeals to many, scares others and gives those watching a sense of awe. It is a slope that is worthy of hosting the British Championships for its steepness and length yet it is these traits as well as the long drive from the south of England that means few of the leading racers from the south make the journey north.
WitH Anderson leading Dalziel by a hundredth of a second after the first run with Tom Upton another hundredth back, this gave the second run a real sense of excitement. Scott Waitt was three-tenths back and the British Ski Academy sponsored GBR Outdoor Series winner, Craig Speed, in fifth, seven-tenths of a second back.
With past winner of the races at Hillend and current Lothian Ski Racing coach, Paul Henderson setting the first run and Glasgow Head Coach, Mark Vinter setting the second, the variation of course setting was good.
With five to go, Adam Hay had the lead after posting a time almost two seconds faster than the next best time to that point. Speed was next down the course, using the opportunity to race at Hillend to improve his chances at the forthcoming University races, and while he was not as fast as Hay, had enough in reserve to go into the lead.
Sitting just off the podium, Scott Waitt posted the second fastest time on the second run, three quarters of a second faster than Hay to give himself a chance of making it onto the podium before Upton came down and edged him out of the lead.
With two to go, the breezy conditions at the top of the course meant racers and officials had a challenge to keep warm.
Dalziel had seen Upton attack the course and post a good time, a time that would be a challenge and knew he had to go for it. Coming across the hill at the top he was deemed to have straddled a gate in the cross hill verticale.
With Upton having survived one challenge on his time, it was down to Anderson to fly the flag for Scotland. First Hay, then Waitt had set the crowd gasping with their times and then Anderson put the result beyond doubt with an impressive second run time that saw the Glasgow racer take the British title.
The age groups were won by Murdo Watson (Under 14, 7th Overall); Robbie Anderson (Under 16, British Champion); Thomas Upton (Under 18, 2nd Overall); Scott Waitt (Under 21, 3rd Overall) and Chris Royle (Masters, 17th Overall).
Luca Anderson and Ross Inglis took the Under 12 and Under 10 race wins.