Castleford was the latest venue to host the ever-popular Arnold Clark Race Series, another sold out event, drawing athletes from all corners of the UK to take on the indoor slope in a packed day of adaptive ski racing.
The event featured the now-familiar two-course format, with a stubby course tailored for snowboarders and sit skiers, and a full slalom gate setup for stand-up skiers. It’s a format that continues to strike the right balance between inclusivity and competitive challenge.
One of the standout moments of the day came from Faye Dawson, a first-time racer in the Visually Impaired category, who put in an exceptional performance to take gold on her debut. Guided by Ralph Cosham and coached by Lee Cosham, Dawson impressed not just with her result, but with her composure and speed on course. An exciting future surely lies ahead.
Also back in form was Stefan Elton, who topped the overall leaderboard with the fastest time of the day. Elton’s clean, aggressive skiing stood out and was a clear reminder of his experience and skill.
The sit ski category was once again highly competitive, with strong performances across the board. Under the guidance of Paralympian Sean Rose, sit skiers Andy Raynor, Andrew Haugen, and Jamie Craik all came away with silver medals, showing real consistency and progress in their skiing.
It was a bonus to have not one, but two Paralympians in attendance, with Shona Brownlee also present to support racers and add to the encouraging, high-performance atmosphere of the day.
As always, events like this don’t happen without the support of many. Huge thanks go to Arnold Clark for their continued commitment to adaptive snowsport, and to the army of volunteers who give up their time to keep things running smoothly. Whether it’s setting courses, timing races, or supporting athletes at the top of the slope, their dedication makes a huge difference.
The Castleford race was another strong reminder of the growing depth and talent in UK adaptive skiing. With more events still to come, there’s plenty to look forward to in the months ahead, next up we have Milton Keynes on 5th July and signups can be made here Parallel Lines Race Series - Snowsport England