With restrictions getting tighter and tighter regarding groups of people, adhering to the letter of the law in these trying times and not even a visit from the local authorities could stop the thrill of racing again for the racers at the Ambition Championships. Great communication and hard work from the organisers again made day two of the Ambition Championships another success.
Day two was slalom day and Daniel Phillips produced some great skiing to win the boys under 16 race with another fine performance by Alex Pennock, transferring his attacking dry slope style on to the snow in taking second place ahead of Samuel Dunn. All three of the podium were within 0.22 of each other. Great racing.
The boys under 14 was won by Ryan Faber, taking a very commendable fifth overall as well. William Broadbent and Boden Kelly joined Faber on the Under 14 podium overall. Harrison Adkins took second place in the first race before crashing out on the second race. Faber did not have it all his own way in the second run as he was pushed into second after a fine run by Calum Hunter, who had crashed out on the first run.
Olivia Howeson took the top spot in the Girls Under 16 slalom race ahead of Emily Turner and Katie Saunders. Howeson produced a great first run to give the rest of the field too much to chase on the second run to take the win.
The Under 14 race saw Isabella Sullivan take the Overall race win ahead of Alice Beveridge with Madeleine Welsh in third. Beveridge won the first run with Sullivan and Welsh second and third before Sullivan stormed back with a great second run to take the race win with Lucy Howeson and Harriet McLaughlin taking second and third on the second run with Beveridge in fourth.
The under 12 and under 10 stubbies race saw a win for Xavier Poynton in the Under 12 race from Sebastien Anthony and Alexander Thomas while in the younger age group, Marcus Pop took the race win ahead of Samuel Greenland.
Lowri Howie continued her fine form in the under 12 girls race as she finished ahead of Lily Flitton with Evienne Arnold in third. Sylvia Curtis took the Under 10 age group win ahead of Cecilia Hamer and Sofia Philip.
It was great to see two of the up and coming coaches being given the responsibility in setting the courses for the next generation of racers. Both Olivia Ward and Graham Dickson have raced themselves and now are on the coaching pathway and setting in these races gives them valuable experience to take forward. Setting training courses is one thing but the pressure of race day is another!
With the spirit of competition helping one team out, the desire to get on and run fair and equal race is what racing is all about and the organisers should be applauded for this!
After two days of Slalom racing, the focus at the Ambition Championships now switches to two days of Giant Slalom racing.
Full results
Main picture - courtesy of Uniq Snowsports. Great to see som many happy smiling faces back racing!