English Alpine Champs 2017 Day 3
Day three of the English Alpine Ski Championships saw the U16 and U14 racers tackle the Giant Slalom on the Stella Alpina race piste, with the older athletes taking on the FIS Super G on the Stelvio piste. The day was rounded off by an exciting Night Parallel Slalom, where Glasgow Ski Racing came out as champions ahead of Ambition Racing A under the floodlights.
In the morning, the Stelvio piste saw action in the form of the FIS Super G, which would also see four English Champions crowned. In the Under 21 men’s race, Billy Major put his disappointment of not finishing the Slalom yesterday to one side to take the title of English Champion, finishing in 9th overall, one place behind Ivica Kostelic. The second-fastest British racer was Sam Todd-Saunders, with Zak Vinter finishing in third for the last spot on the British podium.
In the Under 21 ladies race, it was a tight battle for the English crown, with Darcie Mead just edging out Jessica Anderson by 0.26 seconds to take the title. Overall Mead finished 8th with Anderson in 9th place. Yasmin Cooper was the third-fastest Brit, finishing 11th overall.
Ben Bruno stood on his third podium of the Championships, taking the Super G Under 18 English Champions crown. He finished ahead of Dexter Lee who was second-fastest Brit and Lloyd Chapman was the third athlete on the British podium.
In the ladies Under 18 competition, Scotland’s Alannah Lawrie was the fastest of the Brits, but in second place Hannah Loeffen-Gallagher claimed the title of English Champion. Third fastest Brit was Megan Riley.
Quotes from the English Champions in the FIS Super G:
Billy Major – 1st U21 Super G men’s:
“I am pleased with today. It was one of my first Super-G’s of the year, so I just skied it to get down, making sure I didn’t injure myself which I have done in the past in speed races. It was a good race. Now I know I can attack the course a little bit more during the Combined race and hopefully win that.”
Darcie Mead – 1st U21 Super G women’s:
“This is my first Super-G in almost two years, so I was really nervous at the start which hasn’t happened to me before really. So I just wanted to finish for my confidence and so that I could feel safe again on speed skis, so I’m really happy I came down as well as I did. It was so fun, and while I am the top British racer I wanted to finish in the top five of all the competitors. I was aiming to score some good FIS points, so I’m relatively happy with the time given I haven’t done it in two years, and I can’t beat myself up too much.”
Ben Bruno – 1st U18 Super G men’s:
“That definitely felt like a good ski from me today. I’m pretty pleased with the time. I could have tucked a bit more in some places and shaved some more time off, but it was my first run so I’m happy with it. It’s really been a positive week so far, so I’m very satisfied. It feels amazing to have two English titles now. After a lot of time and hard work, it’s nice to see everything I’m doing is paying off.”
Hannah Loeffen-Gallagher – 1st U18 Super G women’s:
“It was quite a shaky race but all the adrenaline was pumping, and to be honest the course was a lot easier than I was expecting. I’m pleased I’ve had a chance to experience the Super-G hill in time for the Alpine Combined tomorrow. It’s good practise and I’m in good shape for that race having also done well in the Slalom. I’m really happy with the second title”
English Alpine Champs 2017 Day 3
On the Stella Alpina piste, the Under 16 and Under 14 boys and girls tackled a GS under sunny skies, a day after a Slalom on the same course.
For the Under 16 boys, Scottish racer Owen Vinter from Glasgow Ski Racing claimed his second win in two days, taking victory just ahead of Tom Hudson from BSA, who claimed the title of fastest English racer. Just behind Hudson was Charlie Leach from Ambition Racing who took third.
In the Under 16 girls category, Sarah Woodward from Ambition Racing took her revenge on the Stella Alpina slope, putting down two speedy runs to take the win after skiing out of the Under 16 girls slalom yesterday. Just behind Woodward was rival Daisi Daniels from BSA who finished in second, just ahead of Arabella Ng from Dragons Ski Club.
Elliott Bennett from Kandahar looked impressive in the Under 14 boys races, taking the win across the two runs. Just behind him was Ted Slade from BSA who had the fastest first run, but then made a mistake in his second to drop down behind Bennett. Jack Upton, who won the Under 14 slalom yesterday, finished in third place.
For the Under 14 girls, Sophie Foster, who looked impressive in her second slalom run yesterday, put down two solid GS runs to stand on the top of the podium. Behind her was Under 14 slalom champion Alexa Elliff from CDC who finished just ahead of Tilly Black.
Quotes from the winners:
Owen Vinter – 1st U16 Boys GS:
“I am pretty pleased with the GS today. I was lying in 4th after my first run, so I was really pleased with my second run and taking the win. I just gave it my all and was waiting to see what happened. I just tried to let loose on the second run, I was really pumped. It is Super G next, and if I ski well, I should be near the podium. I love Super G, it is my favourite discipline.”
Sarah Woodward – 1st U16 Girls GS:
“I am very happy to win the GS today after a disappointing race in the Slalom yesterday. I was trying really hard not to get too nervous in the start gate, because when that happens the race never goes well for me. I felt really confident after inspecting the course and knew if I stayed calm I could do well.”
Elliott Bennett – 1st U14 Boys GS:
“I was really pleased with the race today. It has been a while since I beat Ted (Slade), so it feels good to beat him and get the win today. It also gives me confidence going into the Super G races over the next few days, and hopefully I can get some more podiums. My first run today was a bit tricky, and I wasn’t totally happy with it. So then on my second run I just went for it and charged. And it paid of.”
Sophie Foster – 1st U14 Girls GS:
“I feel great! I was really happy with the race today. I tried to the fastest time down in the first run, working on everything we had worked on in training. And then for the second run I tried to make sure I had a clean run. After not getting on the podium yesterday in the Slalom, I just pushed a bit harder today.”
The full results can be viewed on the English Alpine Championships page on the Snowsport England website: www.snowsportengland.org.uk. All the action can be followed on Twitter @SnowsportEng and the Snowsport England page on Facebook.
Snowsport England would like to thank the continued sponsorship and support of the event by main sponsors and supporters Bormio Ski, Rossignol, Vital, Ski Club of Great Britain, Ski Bartletts and Racer Ready.
English Alpine Championships 2017 – Programme:
Thursday 16th February
FIS NJR Giant Slalom (Alpina)
U14/U16 Super G (Stelvio)
Categories: Racing