British Racer Robert Holmes rounds-up the action from the English Alpine Championships held in Bormio recently
The English Alpine Championships is Snowsport England’s premier Alpine event when hundreds of the UK’s ski racers, along with their families, head to Bormio in Italy every year to compete – from children as young as eight right through to senior athletes.
Darcie Mead from Team Evolution on her way to becoming English Champion. PHOTO: Foto Sosio, Bormio
The Championships, which also attracts competitors from other countries, act as a gateway for future Alpine world champions and Olympic stars – World Cup Alpine ski racer Dave Ryding started his competitive career on snow at the English Alpine Championships.
The FIS opening race began with two Giant Slalom Men’s and Ladies races followed by a national Junior race. In the Ladies FIS GS race, Darcie Mead (Team Evolution), who had just recovered from an injury, skied into 1st position and was crowned English Champion. Abi Bruce was 2nd and Lois Jackson 3rd.
In the Men’s race, Lucas Ellis (Apex) made two superb runs to claim 2nd overall and 1st British and English in a field of 87 racers from eight different countries. This was a very commendable achievement for Lucas who is still classed as a junior racer. Aidan Urquhart (Team Evolution) took second place and Luca Carrick-Smith 3rd. Luca who also won 2nd place – under 18 racer – in the event.
In the National Junior race (under 21yrs) Ladies English NJR GS Champion was won by Honor Bartlett (Ambition Racing), 2nd was Charlotte Holmes (Team Evolution) and 3rd Maisie Blyth (Apex). In the men’s NJR, top place went to George Black (Ambition Racing) with Aidan Urquhart (Team Evolution) in 2nd place and Lucas Ellis (Apex) in 3rd.
Slalom day for the FIS racers was on the famous Stevio hill with the two NJR Courses set by Italians and French course setters. In the Ladies NJR FIS race, Candice Bomberg had a tremendous two runs claiming 4th overall and 1st British and 1st Under 18 skier. Maisie Blyth and Emma Meneghetti took 2nd and 3rd British and under 18 skiers.
The FIS Overall winners with a representative from the Ski Club of Great Britain. PHOTO: SSE/Ski Club of Great Britain
In the men’s NJR slalom race Toby Jennings (Apex2000) claimed victory 1st British and English Champion, followed in 2nd by Elliott Bennett and Alex Davies in 3rd Place. Under 18 titles went to Harry Duncan.
The following day was the FIS Slalom event, Ladies British/English Champion winner was Lois Jackson (Team Evolution). In the Men’s event Luca Carrick-Smith achieved the title of 1st British and English Champion along with 1st under 18 title.
Winner in both races on the men’s Super G day was Owen Vinter. Under 18 winners was Kieran Woolley and Luca Carrrick-Smith. The Ladies Super G race saw the Championship race title of English Champion and 1st British racer claimed by Jessica Anderson, followed by Darcie Mead then 3rd place Lois Jackson. 1st under 18 went to Honor Bartlett. In the second race, Jessica Anderson claimed victory with 1st British and 1st under 18 race going to Charlotte Holmes.
This concluded the FIS English Championships, with overall titles going to Lois Jackson and Luca Carrick-Smith, who were also awarded a £2,000 bursary award from the Ski Club of Great Britain.
The children’s races started with the under 10 and 12 GS races on the Stella Alpina hill. The under 10 winners were Anna Chan (Ambition) and Marcus Pop (Precise Racing).
In the under 12’s race 1st place girls went to Lilly Flitton (Alpine Performance Racing) and Luca Steven (Alpine Performance Racing). The following day, saw competition for the under 14’s GS and under 10’s/12’s slalom. In the GS girls race Louisa McIntosh (Ambition) won the overall 1st place followed by Alice Bond in 2nd place and Alice Gillon in 3rd place.
In the boy’s race Ambition’s Ryan Faber achieved 1st place followed by Harrison Atkins 2nd Place and Rufus Wontner in 3rd place.
Young competitors go head to head in the mini races.
The second event of the day was the minis slalom using ‘stubbie’ gates. The under 10 winners were Anna Chan and Fred Croft. In the under 12’s English champions were Lilly Flitton and Isaac Cheongvee.
In the 16’s in slalom girls race, the 1st course was set by Paul Telling and 2nd course by Ashley Breeze on the Stella Alpina hill in sunny conditions. Katie Saunders from Team Evolution was the fastest girl over the two runs claiming the title of English Slalom Champion, in 2nd place India Ridgway from Apex and in 3rd place Brooke Baxter again from Apex.
In the boy’s slalom under 16 race, the Carrick-Smith racers were dominant, with Zak edging out his brother Freddy into 1st place claiming the title of English Under 16 Slalom Champion, 3rd place went to Team Evolution’s George Brown.
The under 14 super G on the Stevio piste saw the girls go first. Darcy Davies (Apex) was the fastest in the first championship race and in the second race Amelia Pietrzak (Ambition) claimed the victory. In the boys championship race Oliver Martin (Apex) took the win, Ryan Faber (Ambition) was the winner in the second race.
Over on the Stella Alpina hill the under 10’s and 12’s had a head-to-head giant slalom. The event started with two timed runs with the best time to count. The racers were then organised into a head-to-head ‘knock out’ format of rounds racing against each other.
Girls and boys separated into two events in both age categories under 10 and under 12. Anna Chan under 10 girl won the final over 2nd place Sofia Philip. 3rd place went to Amelia Arnold in the semi final race off. In the boys under 10 head-to-head event skiers Fred Croft and Marcus Pop excitingly fought for winner’s position in the final, with Marcus coming out on top. In the race for third place, Jasper Curtis beat Jack Curtis.
The under 12’s girl’s competition was between Lilly Flitton and Slyvia Curtis, Lilly just taking 1st place, with Scarlett McLaughland taking the 3rd after a close run with Isla Cameron. The boys under 12 final was won by Edward Lloyd after an extremely close run with Robert Savage.
The busiest day for racing contained three different events to organise for
The team of 20+ officials from Snowsport England, many who help in the running of the event on a purely volunteer capacity, had three events to organise and officiate over on the penultimate day of the Championships.
Katie Saunders (Team Evolution) was again dominant in the under 16 Super G races following her win in the slalom. Zak Carrick Smith also remained in a strong position for the overall title taking the win on both Super G races for the under 16 boys.
On the Stella Alpina hill, the under 14s were racing for the GS English Champion title. Alice Bond continued to show her skill winning the girls under 14 GS and Ryan Faber won in GS to complete three 1st place podiums from a possible four, in the championships.
Some of the Girls Under 16 racers.
The final event of the day was the team event, often the highlight for most competitors and spectators. It gives ski racers a chance to work as a team for their club in a head to head format. In past years this event has been held in the evening under floodlights. This year Snowsport England opted for a change with 32 teams made up from the clubs and academies represented at the championships.
The British Ski Academy (A team) were the overall winning team with Apex in the runner up position. Apex. Third place The British Ski Academy (B team).
The final day of the Championships included the GS race for the under 16’s. Katie Saunders (Team Evolution) finished an amazing week of skilful and fast skiing by claiming another victory and title of GS Champion with Zak Carrick-Smith winning the boys under 16 GS title.
A final award ceremony was held to conclude nine days of racing and present overall titles. Messages of thanks from Tim Fawke (Chief Execute of Snowsport England) were made to Championship sponsors, officials who run the races and parents for travelling to the races.
The 2023 Championships sponsored by Rossignol, Ski Club of Great Britain, Racer Ready, Ski Barlett, Ski Bitz, Vitalini and Bormio Ski Tourism.
PHOTO: @amarcster.sport
Brother and sister Robert and Charlotte Holmes, who are both members of the British ski racing squad, are providing regular updates on the racing scene to the Skier & Snowboarder magazine.
Robert (robertholmesski.com) is supported by: Hippo Motor Group; Fischer Skis; Shred; Leki; Winter Sports Foundation; Ski Bartlett; Pendle Leisure Trust; Tass; Pendle Ski Club
Charlotte is supported by: Fischer Skis; Shred; Falke; Leki; Winter Sports Foundation; Ladies Ski Club