BSS - Ski Cross

Mitsubishi Motors UK Ski & Snowboard Cross selection event heralded great success in Glasgow

Lucy Mackenzie — Thu, 05 May 2016 10:52:52 +0000

05 May 2016

Mitsubishi Motors UK Ski & Snowboard Cross selection event heralded great success in Glasgow

The British Ski and Snowboard Cross (GBX) Trials commenced on Saturday at Snow Factor in Braehead. Ski and snowboard athletes of varying standards and ages descended on Glasgow in order to undertake the British GBX selection process for the British Home Nations, National Academy and British National Squads.

The British GBX trials are being run by 3-time Olympic GBX athlete Zoe Gillings-Brier, on behalf of British Ski & Snowboard, Snowsport Scotland and Snowsport England, and feature Mitsubishi Motors in the UK as headline partner.

As one of only four GBX recognised selection centres in the UK, Snow Factor created an excellent Cross Course and provided some highly experienced and talented coaching staff to assist in running the event.

“The standard of athletes trying out at the event surpassed all our expectations” explained Zoe Gillings-Brier, “I couldn’t get over how great the venue was and how talented these athletes were – ski and snowboard – they were awesome. We definitely have future Olympic contenders within the selected athletes."

Incredibly, over 20 ski and snowboard athletes were selected onto the GBX squads. Snowsport Scotland National Performance Manager commented, “We were really happy to have the first GBX trial here in Scotland. The set up from Snow Factor was great with a very high standard of athlete at event. We are looking forward to working with the GBX team and Mitsubishi to host the next event at this location in July.”

Toby Marshall, Director of Sales and Marketing for Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, commented: “For the Mitsubishi Motors GBX Series 2016 to kick off in such a positive manner really underlines the incredible talent we have in this nation. We are excited to see this standard continue through the entire series, and the extremely competitive international squads that will be chosen as a result.”

The GBX National trials would like to thank its partners without whom the event would not be taking place:- Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, Nexsan private cloud solutions, Kinesis telematics from UK Fuels, Three UK, Nutrition X, CSTC training centre, Defibshop, Sealy beds, Dare2B and school ski and snowboard holiday provider Ski Team 4.

The Mitsubishi Motors UK GBX National trials are taking place throughout the Britain this summer, with the next event taking place at Norfolk snow sports club on Saturday 28th May - all ski and snowboard athletes wishing to try out for the squads can book on the selections here:- www.GBXsquad.com

Rising domestic ski and snowboard talent to be showcased at three English Indoor Championships this spring

Lucy Mackenzie — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 08:39:11 +0000

27 April 2016

Rising domestic ski and snowboard talent to be showcased at three English Indoor Championships this spring

Freestyle Ski Cross Snowboard Cross Moguls Slopestyle

English Moguls, Slopestyle and Ski & Snowboard Cross Championships come to Chill Factore

The end of May marks the start of three English Indoor Championships hosted by Snowsport England at the Chill Factore in Manchester where the best rising domestic skiing and snowboarding talent will be on display.

The English Indoor Moguls Championships will kick off the action on 21st May with Britain’s best mogul skiers joining up and coming athletes in what will be a positive environment for growing young talent.

Just a few weeks later on 4th June young skiers and snowboarders take on the berms and jumps of the ski and snowboard cross course. Again, with development at the heart of the event, riders will get a chance at a timed run before going in the head to head in heats and finals at the English Indoor Skier and Boardercross Championships.

Concluding the triplet of events is the English Indoor Slopestyle Championships on 25th June where a record number of athletes will take on the specially shaped slopestyle course consisting of both rails and jumps. The fun and inclusive event will see hundreds of skiers and snowboarders join what is always a fantastically social but also competitive event.

English Indoor Moguls Championships 2016 – Saturday 21st May, Chill Factore

English Indoor Skier and Boardercross Championships 2016 – Saturday 4th June, Chill Factore

English Indoor Slopestyle Championships 2016 – Saturday 25th June, Chill Factore

2016 is the fourth year of the English Indoor Championships events where both skiers and snowboarders have been brought together, with the events growing in popularity year on year.

Again for this year, the events will be open to all levels of riders, whilst at the same time being competitive for the skiers and snowboarders who are looking to top the podium. The events are not about the big cash prizes, but instead are aimed at being attractive because of the format and the challenge of competition.

New for 2016 are revised age categories, as well as new partner the Ski Club of Great Britain providing insurance for the under 16 winners. Ripperz will continue to provide the administration for the events.

To take part in the event, all athletes have to register online and pay a entrance fee of £35 per event. Athletes can register here: https://form.jotform.com/315757455766972

English Indoor Moguls Championships page –

www.facebook.com/EnglishMogulsChampionships

English Indoor Skier and Boardercoss Championships –

www.facebook.com/EnglishSlopestyleChampionships

English Indoor Slopestyle Championships –

www.facebook.com/EnglishSSBXChampionships

The season continues for British Ski and Snowboard athletes

Lucy Mackenzie — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 11:17:37 +0000

Paul Henderson, photo Vanessa Fry Photography

18 April 2016

The season continues for British Ski and Snowboard athletes

Park & Pipe Alpine Ski Cross

GB Park and Pipe

Following the launch of GB Park and Pipe’s new competition league, Championship Ski and Snowboard, the team continue to train and compete in Europe. GB Park and Pipe skiers Anna Vincenti, Harris Booth, Chris McCormick and Felix Klein will tackle the Silvaplana Europa Cup, with Slopestyle qualifications starting on Thursday and finals on Friday.

James Woods took to the top of the podium on Saturday at the Fridge Festival Obertauern Ski Big Air, the final competition from the AFP Fridge Series in Austria. The contest saw athletes battle it out on a 34 metre high jump made out of 100 tonnes of snow.

James Woods wins at Fridge Festival Obertauern

Championship Ski and Snowboard launched last week aimed at nurturing British Freestyle Talent. The first snowsports competition of its kind in the world will see crews representing local slopes going head to head with other teams from across the UK. CSS will see crews submit videos of their best tricks filmed at their local indoor or artificial slope scene. Footage will then be judged, scored and edited into “matches” which will then be live on the CSS website and shared across social media. CSS starts this May and runs through till October. Check out the promotional video here: https://www.facebook.com/BritishSkiandSnowboard/videos

Delancey British Alpine Team

In Solda, Italy last week Delancey British Alpine Team athlete Jai Geyer had the best result in the first Men’s FIS Slalom race finishing in 39th place with Daniel Dakin finishing in 60th. In race two, Charlie Raposo finished in 36th, with Ethan Rebert in 53rd, and Mathieu Avent 57th. In the Ladies’ Slalom, Ella Still came 20th in race one and 18th in race two.

In the Belgian National Junior Championships Slalom, again in Solda, Jai Geyer had a strong result finishing in 27th for the men. Behind him wast Paul Henderson who finished in 41st place, Fraser Middleton 50th and Daniel Dakin 61st. Ella Still unfortunately DNF’d. Then again in Solda, in the Italian CIT GS, Geyer continued his form with a 15th place finish. Other good results came from Paul Henderson in 26th and Fraser Middleton in 76th. place. Ella Still took 36th position in the ladies race.

Today Still, Middleton and Geyer will be competing in the FIS GS race in Geilo, with the Slalom running tomorrow.

The end of the week will see the start of FIS races in Hemsedal, Sweden where Jack Gower, Fraser Middleton, Jai Geyer and Ella Still will compete in the late season races beginning Friday.

British Ski Cross

In Idre Fjall, Sweden, Laurence Willows clocked the best British result in the men’s FIS Race finishing in 34th position. Will Wheeler skied into in 37th, with Scott Garvie in 39th.

The following day saw two Europa Cup races, with Willows claiming 31st and 32nd respectively, with Wheeler 33rd in the first race and Garvie 35th in both races.

The BRITS 2016: Slopestyle Success for Young GB Park & Pipe Riders; Ray and Peters triumph in Skiercross; and Snowboardcross’ Gehrig and Thidling retain their titles

Lucy Mackenzie — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 11:21:52 +0000

Rowan Coultas, photo credit The-Brits.com | Aivars Zee Zarins

07 April 2016

The BRITS 2016: Slopestyle Success for Young GB Park & Pipe Riders; Ray and Peters triumph in Skiercross; and Snowboardcross’ Gehrig and Thidling retain their titles

Park & Pipe Ski Cross Snowboard Cross The Brits 2016

The BRITS 2016 returns to the Laax snowpark in Switzerland for the first time in four years. From the 3rd until the 10th April, The British Snowboard and Freeski Championships welcomes seasoned pros and amateurs alike to compete in halfpipe, slopestyle and snowboard/skiercross competitions.

Snowboard Slopestyle

The opening day of The BRITS 2016 saw the British Snowboard Slopestyle Championships kick off proceedings. Although riders had to fight increasing winds and slushy snow conditions, the level of riding was consistently high from the under 12s to the elite riders and GB Park and Pipe elite athletes Katie Ormerod (18) and Rowan Coultas (18) were crowned British Champions for 2016.

With Laax recording high temperatures, snow conditions were monitored and discussed at length in the days running up to the contest. With input from riders, coaches, and officials, the decision was made to run the open and older athletes first - and only run finals if a change in weather brought better snow conditions. With this in mind, all riders went out to lay down their best runs in qualification.

Katie Ormerod, photo credit The-Brits.com | Aivars Zee Zarins

With the top riders on course first, it was straight down to serious business. Rowan Coultas was one of the first of the open men to hit the course, and absolutely made it his own. His cranked method over the roller feature, and huge backside double-cork 1080 nosegrab on the final kicker, made for a run packed with technicality and style, and earned him his first British title. The second step of the podium was claimed by big air legend Billy Morgan. Laying down a classic backside rodeo – which judge Jamie Keeble described as “the single nicest trick of the day” - along with a towering switch-backside 180, Billy Morgan claimed his first BRITS medal since the championship was last in Laax. Bronze went to Fin Bremner, who doubled up on medals (as he also won the under 18 title), whilst locking up the podium for GB Park and Pipe athletes.

After a huge return to form, Rowan said “I had a banger of an end to the season, it didn't start that great, but managed to come back from injury pretty quickly and got a few results at the end of the season”

Men's Slopestyle Podium: Billy Morgan (L), Rowan Coultas (C), Fin Bremner (R), photo credit The-Brits.com | Aivars Zee Zarins

The women's podium was also topped by a GB Park and Pipe athlete fresh off international podiums. Katie Ormerod was the only woman to take on the enormous Laax Pro Line kickers, and despite the tough conditions, sent her first hit further than most of the men's field. With her usual comprehensive mix of spins, and her world-class frontside boardslide, the 18 year-old claimed the gold. Fiona Reid's (23) second place run was brimming with confidence and speed: a big rocket grab and a stylish nose to tailgrab were the highlights of her stellar run. Third place was taken by Cerys Allen (15) – now a near-permanent feature of British championship podium ceremonies.

Clearly stoked on her win, Katie said, “I'm so excited to be back here in Laax at the BRITS and to win the slopestyle event. Such a fun day riding with all my British friends.”

Ladies' Slopestyle Podium: Fiona Reid (L), Katie Ormerod (C), Cerys Allen (R), photo credit The-Brits.com | Aivars Zee Zarins

A highlight of the Slopestyle each year is seeing the young guns on the same stage as the World Class athletes. Harry Waite (15) took out the under 16 title and an overall top ten with an incredible cab-underflip on the first kicker. On the second kicker, method of the day went to Mia Brookes, who at 9 years old also took fourth place overall – an almost unbelievable achievement. The style and technicality of her riding is far beyond her years, and there are few athletes with a brighter future in the British snowsports scene.

British Snowboard Slopestyle Championships Results

Men Women

1st – Rowan Coultas 1st – Katie Ormerod

2nd – Billy Morgan 2nd – Fiona Reid

3rd – Fin Bremner 3rd – Cerys Allen

Skiercross

On Tuesday, action kicked off at the BRITS 2016, with the skiers tackling the jumps and berms of the Skiercross course. After a day of competitive racing, Emma Peters and Matthew Ray reigned supreme to take the British Skiercross Champion crowns.

Skiers of all ages took to the Laax course for their individual timed runs - ahead of the head to head semis, and then finals, where the best of British battled it out.

In the overall men’s category, the big final produced nail biting action with four racers battling it out tail to tip from the offset. With all four racers bunched together, Laurence Willows clipped a gate half way down the course, locking skis with Luke Feneley and resulting in both skiers falling and allowing Ray to storm ahead. Despite Jonathan Bingham hot on the heels of Ray, he couldn’t be caught and crossed the line first to take the title. Feneley picked himself up to take the bronze behind Bingham.

Men's Skiercross Podium: Jonathan Bingham (L), Matthew Ray (C), Luke Feneley (R), photo credit The-Brits.com | Johan Höllmüller

After winning the Under 16 British title last year, Ray was delighted to go one step further to claim the overall British Champion title. He said after the win: “I am pretty happy. It was a tight race, and good competition, so it was great to come home with the win. I was side by side with Laurence (Willows) out of the start gate, then he clipped a gate and went down and I just managed to avoid him! This is the best result of my year, so it is great to get on top of the podium. I will be back again next year.”

In the overall ladies contest, there was some exciting racing, culminating in a competitive final. From the start, however, nobody could get close to British Ski Cross racer Emma Peters, who stormed to the front to take the British title. Behind Peters was a battle for silver between Isobel Brown and slopestyle skier Katie Summerhayes. Brown’s experience won out in the end to claim silver, despite a speedy and gritty performance by Summerhayes, who ended up in bronze ahead of Caitlin Lewington.

Ladies' Skiercross Podium: Isobel Brown (L), Emma Peters (C), Katie Summerhayes (L), photo credit The-Brits.com | Johan Höllmüller

After taking the silver medal last year at the BRITS, Emma Peters was overwhelmed to claim the overall title this year: “It is amazing to win the title. I never thought I would get to become British Champion. I was second last year, so to get the win feels great. The BRITS have been great so far this year and they have done well with the course despite late season conditions. The event has such a good vibe and atmosphere.”

The BRITS continues to cultivate up and coming talent, and this year was no different with a huge number of skiers, from 8 years-old upwards, taking on the Skiercross course and showing off their speed and flair. Impressing the crowds was 12 year-old Elektra Brown who won the Under 16 title, beating off challenges from girls up to three years older than her.

Photo credit The-Brits.com | Johan Höllmüller

British Skiercross Championships Results

Men Women

1st – Matthew Ray 1st – Emma Peters

2nd – Jonathan Bingham 2nd – Isobel Brown

3rd – Luke Feneley 3rd – Katie Summerhayes

Snowboardcross

The second day of competition in Laax saw both Max Thidling and Stephanie Gehrig retain their British titles in a day of intense competition. With riders still battling slushy conditions, as well as low visibility, the weather added to the challenge of close quarters racing on the Crap Sogn Gion boardercross course.

Snowy start to the men's snowboardcross, photo credit The-Brits.com | Aivars Zee Zarins

With a varied field of first timers to seasoned World Cup racers, qualification got underway after a brief delay. In order to protect the course from getting too rutted out, riders had just one qualification run, meaning a clean top to bottom was an absolute must. Once seeding was complete, it was onto the 4x4 racing that makes Snowboardcross a perennial favourite.

First to drop in the knockout rounds was the men's masters category, headed up by ex-professional freestyler, and face of BBC Ski Sunday, Ed Leigh. Ed was joined in the category by several other memorable faces from British snowboarding history, making the competition a hotly contested one with a great vibe. Ed showed that his snowboard skills are still honed, especially after a move out to Switzerland this season, as he led the masters field in qualifying and in every race to seal his first BRITS gold medal in many years.

Photo credit The-Brits.com | Aivars Zee Zarins

In the open men's race it was 2015 champion Max Thidling who claimed back-to-back titles for the first time. After a conservative qualification run placed him second in the seeding, Max pulled out the stops in the 4x4 racing, taking first in each of his races. In second was Scotland's Murray Koller, who was obviously stoked to take the podium alongside his friend and teammate Thidling. The bronze medal went to Simon Nicholson, who put together the fastest qualification run of the day, but was unable to hold onto the top spot in the head to heads.

Max, commenting on the return of the Brits to Laax, said; “It's a huge step up, it’s so good out here in Laax”

Men's Snowboardcross Podium: Murray Koller (L), Max Thidling (C), Simon Nicholson (R), photo credit The-Brits.com | Aivars Zee Zarins

In the women’s race, Stephanie Gehrig also retained her title, but this win came in less easy circumstances than 2015's. After a career threatening injury late last year, she was forced to take it easy in qualification to see if her now screw-supported back was up to the challenge. It seems it was, as the Stephanie who won her maiden title in Tignes 12 months ago, was back in the 4x4s and she cruised to her first victory in Laax. Ellie Soutter had forgone her age category in the hopes of gunning for the overall podium. It turned out to be an inspired decision, as the 15 year-old grabbed a silver medal. Izzy Eames rose from a fifth place seeding to close out the women's podium with bronze.

Photo credit The-Brits.com | Aivars Zee Zarins

A delighted Gehrig commented; “I broke my back in December, this was the first day on snow again! I like the slush, but with my back it was quite tiring. Really I just snowboarded and it was fun!”

Ladies' Snowboardcross Podium: Ellie Soutter (L), Stephanie Gehrig (C), Izzy Eames (R), photo credit The-Brits.com | Aivars Zee Zarins

Outside of the overall category, the racing was still incredibly competitive. In the under 12s, mini shredder Mia Brooks showed that she has speed on the cross course as well as style in the snow park, claiming her second gold of the week. The tiny figure of Charlie Lane took to the top step of the under 12 men's podium, throwing up his best rock and roll horns to celebrate his win in front of a stoked crowd at The BRITS après on the Laax snow-front.

British Snowboard Snowboardcross Championships Results

Men Women

1st – Max Thidling 1st – Stephanie Gehrig

2nd – Murray Koller 2nd – Ellie Soutter

3rd – Simon Nicholson 3rd – Izzy Eames

Don’t forget to check out the BRITS 2016 picture galleries at www.facebook.com/britsfestival, where you will be able to check out the Snowboard and Freeski action from the previous day’s competition.

The BRITS would not be possible without its highly supportive Partners: LAAX, Swiss International Air Lines, Switzerland Tourism, Swiss Travel System and British Ski & Snowboard (BSS).

Milestone weekend for British Snowsports

Lucy Mackenzie — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 10:21:48 +0000

21 March 2016

Milestone weekend for British Snowsports

Park & Pipe Alpine Telemark Ski Cross

Six podium finishes for GB Park and Pipe and a 15th place finish in World Cup finals for Dave Ryding, made last weekend quite a weekend for British Snowsports.

GB Park and Pipe

GB Park and Pipe athletes have had a phenomenal week, claiming podiums left, right and centre. In yesterday’s FIS World Cup Snowboard Slopestyle in Spindleruv Mlyn in Czech Republic, Jamie Nicholls claimed his first World Cup podium and first World Cup win in the men’s competition, with Billy Morgan finishing in 3rd. And in the ladies' competition, the unstoppable Katie Ormerod finished 2nd to claim yet another podium.

Jamie said after his win: "I am so happy to finally win a World Cup. It's a first for me to get on a World Cup podium and I am just so pleased with how today went. I felt great all day and I was really happy with the run I put down. It has been a great day."

This followed some world class riding from GB Park and Pipe athletes at the Spring Battle in Flachau, Austria, where the team secured three more podiums. Billy Morgan was top of the pile in the men’s snowboard competition, with Jamie Nicholls clinching 4th. For the ladies, Katie Ormerod finished in 2nd with Aimee Fuller just behind her in 3rd.

The domination of the World Cup and Spring Battle came straight after Izzy Atkins’ 2nd place, and James ‘Woodsy’ Woods 3rd place in the AFP World Tour event in La Clusaz, France, on Friday.

Delancey British Alpine Ski Team

Yesterday Dave Ryding proved that he is one of the world’s best Slalom skiers, taking 15th in the FIS World Cup Finals in St Moritz, Switzerland. The result concludes a fantastic World Cup season for Ryding, which included a World Cup Slalom 12th place finish in Val d’Isere, France and a 13th in Santa Caterina, Italy.

Ryding will now head to France for the Delancey British National Alpine Ski Championships, which started yesterday in Tignes where he will compete in the Slalom on Friday.

Dave Ryding said after the World Cup Finals:

“I believed I could get into the top 15. I have been skiing well and I knew I could do it and I am just over the moon. If you had told me I would get top 15 in the World Cup Finals before the start of the season I definitely would have taken it. I have achieved my goals for the season and for me it is definitely ‘job done’ in terms of the World Cup. I now hope I can round it off with a win at the Delancey British Champs and finish on a high.”

The Delancey British National Alpine Ski Championships kicked off yesterday with the National Championships and National Junior Championships Super G. Alex Tilley took the National Title, with Under 18 athlete Jess Anderson claiming the NJC Title. For the men, Billy Major showed off his Super G capabilities to take the title of National Champion, with Paul Henderson putting in a phenomenal run to take the NJC Title.

Action continues with Downhill Training today. All Delancey British National Alpine Championships news will be posted on www.teambss.org.uk and on Twitter @TeamBSS.

British Telemark

British Telemarker Jaz Taylor followed her fantastic 2nd place in the Sprint race at the Telemark World Cup in Murren, with a 5th place in the Ladies Parallel Sprint. Alistair Cruz-Mermy and Louis Hatchwell were the fastest Brits in the Men’s Parallel Sprint - both finishing in 17th place .

British Ski Cross

This week sees six young British athletes competing in France at the World Junior Ski Cross Championships in Val Thorens. English Ski Cross Team members Luke Feneley, Will Wheeler, Laurence Willows, Emma Peters and Isobel Brown are joined by Scottish ski cross racer Scott Garvie, and are tackling qualifiers on Wednesday, hopefully with finals on Thursday. The team is supported by TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) for the World Junior Champs.

Woodsy claims podium in European Freeski Open with Izzy Atkin 4th, whilst Sarsfield rounds off her season with Europa Cup Bronze

Lucy Mackenzie — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 12:45:37 +0000

14 March 2016

Woodsy claims podium in European Freeski Open with Izzy Atkin 4th, whilst Sarsfield rounds off her season with Europa Cup Bronze

Alpine Ski Cross Nordic Speed Ski Telemark Park & Pipe James Woods Emily Sarsfield

GB Park and Pipe

James Woodsy Woods has secured his best result of the season, clinching a fantastic 3rd place at the European Freeski Open in Laax, Switzerland. Throwing down an impressive performance on the slopestyle course, Woodsy broke his run of 4th place finishes to claim a podium finish against world-class field in the prestigious competition.

In the ladies' competition at the European Freeski Open, Izzy Atkin followed up her recent run of strong results to claim an impressive 4th place in Laax with teammate Katie Summerhayes finishing in 9th in the semis.

The competition was also excellent competition experience for Cal Sandieson and GB Park and Pipe Pathway skiers: Harris Booth, Monty Wright and Chris McCormick.

At the World Championships of Snowboarding in Yabuli International Ski Resort, China, Katie Ormerod finished a solid 3rd place in the Slopestyle semi-finals, taking her through to tomorrow’s finals. After qualifying well for the semis, Aimee Fuller couldn’t quite put the runs in to finish in the top 6, which was the qualifying standard for the final. In the Big Air semis, Katie Ormerod finished in 7th place, narrowly missing out on finals and Aimee couldn’t quite land a clean run after trying her cab underflip. The level was high with two riders performing cab double underflips.

Henry Shackleton and Matt McCormick are in Flachau, Austria, for 2016’s Spring Battle, a World Snowboard Tour Slopestyle event, in which a follow cam jam session is held over the week, with the best runs submitted for judging. Aimee Fuller will be joining them directly from China.

Nine Queens in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Austria, has kicked off, with the action lasting all week. Katie Summerhayes has arrived in resort and is ready to tackle the impressive looking course. She will be joined by Jenny Jones, and also Katie Ormerod who will fly in directly from China.

Delancey British Alpine Ski Team

Dave Ryding was competing in the in the Oberjoch Europa Cup Slalom yesterday In Germany where he came 6th place - +0.73 off the winner.

In Spain Dave will compete in the La Molina Europa Cup Slalom on Thursday, alongside Delancey Alpine team mate Charlie Guest, who will take on the Ladies’ Giant Slalom on Wednesday and Slalom on Thursday.

Dave will then move on to Switzerland to the FIS Alpine World Cup Finals in St Moritz, which kick off today. The Men’s Slalom will be taking place on Sunday.

Over in the US, Jack Gower is competing in the Nor Am Race Series in Aspen, Colarado. Gower finished 13th in yesterday’s Downhill and will compete in the Super G, which runs today, and the Giant Slalom on Thursday.

The Delancey British National Alpine Ski Championships kick off this Sunday, with all the top names in British Alpine Skiing descending on the French resort of Tignes for a week of Senior and Junior racing.

British Ski Cross

Emily Sarsfield rounded off her racing season on a high, claiming a podium in the FIS Europa Cup in St Francois Longchamp, France. After winning the small final to finish 5th in the first race, Emily put in a storming performance to qualify for the final and finish in 3rd position in the second race. A great conclusion to the season.

British Nordic Team

The conclusion of the ‘Ski Tour Canada’ in Canmore saw Andrew Musgrave finish 36th in the overall standings, after an impressive 18th place finish in Friday’s 10km Freestyle. He followed that up with 36th in the 15km Pursuit.

Annika Taylor had a fantastic Ski Tour Canada, finishing 42nd overall, after a 45th in the 10km Freestyle and then 42nd in the 10km Pursuit.

British Speed Skiing

Jan Farrell secured two 8th place finishes at the FIS Speed Skiing World Cup in Grandvalira, Andorra over the weekend. Jan is eager to improve on last season:

"We’ve had two great races in Andorra, with extremely cold conditions and compression in the track. I was 2kmh off the podium on both days so I’m extremely focused on the next race in Vars, where my objective is to beat the British speed record of 245kmh.”

"Last season it was important to gain experience and a better understanding of the top category and although I achieved a personal best in Vars, I’m hungry to exceed expectations and reach podium status this year.”

British Telemark

At the Telemark World Cup in Rjukan, Norway, Jaz Taylor put in two strong performances to finish 4th and 6th in the two Ladies' Sprint races. Alistair Cruz-Mermy claimed the best British result in the mens' races, with 18th place in the Men’s Sprint. Teammate Louis Hatchwell finished in a close 19th position. The second race saw Louis as the fastest Brit, claiming 20th place.

Woodsy through to finals of Silvaplana Slopestyle World Cup, strong results at the Ski Tour Canada, Sarsfield tackles Ski Cross World Cup in Arosa and Ryding back in action

Lucy Mackenzie — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 15:48:34 +0000

03 March 2016

Woodsy through to finals of Silvaplana Slopestyle World Cup, strong results at the Ski Tour Canada, Sarsfield tackles Ski Cross World Cup in Arosa and Ryding back in action

Park & Pipe Nordic Ski Cross Alpine James Woods

GB Park and Pipe

Qualification for the Slopestyle World Cup in Silvaplana, Switzerland started today, with James ‘Woodsy’ Woods qualifying in 2nd place in the first heat and 17 year old Cal Sandieson, in his first ever World Cup, finishing in a very respectable 25th place. Due to cloud coming in and out, the female riders Katie Summerhayes, Madi Rowlands and Izzy Atkin will all have to wait until tomorrow to tackle qualification after it was postponed for today.

At the Burton US Open, tricky snow and weather conditions meant qualifications were cancelled yesterday, so GB Park and Pipe’s Katie Ormerod will go straight through to a 16-girl final taking place on Friday. The action starts at 18.00 GMT and can be viewed on the following link: http://events.burton.com/burton-us-open/

British Nordic Team

This week saw the start of the Cross Country World Cup and the ‘Ski Tour Canada 2016’ with two strong results from both Andrew Young and Andrew Musgrave.

In the opening stage in Gatineau, Andrew Young finished in an impressive 17th place in the Sprint Freestyle finals with teammate Musgrave finishing 44th . Young’s result was nearly matched by Musgrave in Montreal who took 18th place yesterday in the 17.5km Classic Mass Start event, with Young finishing 49th. Annika Taylor finished 54th in the Ladies Sprint finals in Gatineau and 49th in the 10.5km Classic Mass Start in Montreal.

Action continues tomorrow in Quebec City with another Sprint event, followed by the Freestyle Pursuit events on Saturday.

British Ski Cross

Despite heavy snow, Emily Sarsfield is hoping that finals run as planned tomorrow in Arosa, Switzerland, which plays host to the next Ski Cross World Cup. After training was cancelled today, action is due to begin tomorrow at 09:45 CET, weather dependent.

Delancey British Alpine Ski Team

Dave Ryding is back in action this weekend at the Slalom World Cup in Kransjka Gora, Slovenia. He will be aiming to put in a good result ahead of the World Cup Finals in St Moritz later this month. The Slalom takes place on Sunday, with the first run at 09:30 CET.

At the World Junior Alpine Championships in Sochi, Russia, Billy Major has unfortunately had three DNFs in the Alpine Combined, Super G and GS this week. He still has time to notch up a result, however, as he tackles the Slalom tomorrow alongside teammate Charlie Raposo. Raposo unfortunately also DNF today in the GS.

Alex Tilley is currently competing in Nozawa Onsen, Japan at the Far East Cup were she finished an impressive 2nd in the Ladies GS today.

British Speed Skiing

The Speed Skiing World Cup starts this week in Sun Peaks, Canada with Jan Farrell firmly setting his sights on a podium in the unlimited S1 category. There is set to be two races: one tomorrow and one on Saturday. Farrell was the only ski racer to pass the 200kph barrier last season.

X Games bronze for Billy Morgan & 15th for Ski Cross' Sarsfield in PyeongChang

Lucy Mackenzie — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 17:05:31 +0000

Billy takes Bronze

29 February 2016

X Games bronze for Billy Morgan & 15th for Ski Cross' Sarsfield in PyeongChang

Park & Pipe Ski Cross Nordic Alpine Billy Morgan Emily Sarsfield

GB Park and Pipe

GB Park and Pipe's Billy Morgan claimed a prestigious bronze medal at X Games Oslo, landing a backside 1440 triple cork on one of the largest jumps ever built.

After this brilliant result, Billy commented on his success : "I've always seen X Games as one of the biggest, raddest things out there. So to be on the podium and compete with so many riders I look up to is amazing."

You can watch Billy's impressive bronze medal run here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnqaDNA7NJI

Katie Ormerod is back in Colorado ahead of competing in the Burton US Open in Vail. Qualification starts on Wednesday, with finals running on Friday.

Friday sees the start of the Silvaplana World Cup in Switzerland where Youth Winter Olympic Gold Medalist Madi Rowlands and teammate Cal Sandieson will compete in their first ever Ski Slopestyle World Cup. They will ride alongside James ‘Woodsy’ Woods, Katie Summerhayes and Izzy Atkin.

British Ski Cross

Emily Sarsfield took 15th place in the finals of the Ski Cross World Cup in PyeongChang, which doubled up as the Olympic Ski Cross test event. Meanwhile in Grasgehren, Germany, Emma Peters took 16th in the Ski Cross Europa Cup on Saturday.

British Nordic Team

The Nordic World Under 23 and Junior Championships concluded last Friday in Rasnov, Romania, for British Nordic’s Lynne Gray, Annika Taylor, Sarah Hales, Duncan Gibb and James Clugnet. The best results came from Annika Taylor who was 30th in the U23 Ladies 10km Freestyle and 34th in the U23 Ladies 10k Classic.

This week sees the Cross Country World Cup move over to Canada, with the ‘Ski Tour Canada 2016’ running from 1st to 12th March in Gatineau, Montreal, Quebec City and Canmore.

Delancey British Alpine Ski Team

At the World Junior Alpine Championships in Sochi, Russia, Billy Major finished a respectable 49th place in the Downhill on Saturday and followed that up with 56th in the Super G. Billy will compete in the Alpine Combined tomorrow and then along with teammate Charlie Raposo, they will both compete in the GS on Thursday and the Slalom on Friday.

The first edition of X Games Oslo kicks off and Sarsfield through to finals of Ski Cross Olympic Test Event in PyeongChang

Lucy Mackenzie — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 13:14:15 +0000

James Woods, photo Nick Atkins

26 February 2016

The first edition of X Games Oslo kicks off and Sarsfield through to finals of Ski Cross Olympic Test Event in PyeongChang

Park & Pipe Ski Cross Nordic Ski Jumping Emily Sarsfield

GB Park and Pipe

Today sees snowboarder Billy Morgan and skier James ‘Woodsy’ Woods tackle the Big Air at the inaugural X Games in Oslo. Downtown Toyen will host one of the largest jumps in X Games history. With heats beginning today, just six riders from each discipline will go through to Saturday’s finals.

Next Wednesday is the start of the Burton US Open in Vail, Colorado, where GB Park and Pipe snowboarder, Katie Ormerod, will be looking to continue her recent success in Slopestyle. Qualification is Wednesday 2nd March with finals running on Thursday 4th March.

British Ski Cross

Emily Sarsfield is in PyeongChang, South Korea, for the Ski Cross World Cup, which is also an Olympic Ski Cross test event. In qualification today she finished in 14th place, making it through to the top 16 final which runs on Sunday.

Emma Peters is competing in the Ski Cross Europa Cup in Grasgehren this Saturday and Sunday, and is hoping to secure a result in Germany.

British Nordic Team

The Nordic World Under 23 and Junior Championships continue in Rasnov, Romania for Lynne Gray, Annika Taylor, Sarah Hale, Duncan Gibb and James Clugnet.

The best results so far have come from Annika Taylor who was 30th in the U23 10k Freestyle and 34th in the U23 Ladies’ 10k Classic. Sarah Hale came 40th and 47th respectively in the same two races.

Other results for British Nordic: include two 69th place finishes for James Clugnet and an 84th and 89th for Duncan Gibb in the Junior Men’s 15k Freestyle and Junior Men’s 10k Classic.

In the Junior Ladies’ 5k Classic, Lynne Gray came in 77th position.

British Ski Jumping

Young British ski jumping twins Robert Lock and Jake Lock have also been competing at the Championships. Robert finished 52nd place and Jake in 56th place.

Delancey British Alpine Ski Team

Downhill training was cancelled yesterday at the World Junior Alpine Championships in Sochi, Russia. The next training is scheduled for today where Billy Major will hope to get some practice in ahead of Saturday’s Downhill race. Then both Billy and Charlie Raposo will compete in Sunday’s Super G, the Alpine Combined on Monday, the Slalom on Thursday and the GS next Saturday.

Success at the Olympic Test Event in PyeongChang & Bronze for Rowlands at Lillehammer 2016

Lucy Mackenzie — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 16:02:25 +0000

22 February 2016

Success at the Olympic Test Event in PyeongChang & Bronze for Rowlands at Lillehammer 2016

Park & Pipe YOWG Aerials Nordic Alpine Ski Cross Madi Rowlands

GB Park and Pipe

GB Park and Pipe’s Katie Ormerod continued her run of amazing results with a 4th place in Saturday’s Snowboard Slopestyle at the World Cup and Olympic Test event in PyeongChang. With the competition being affected by windy conditions, it wasn’t easy for any of the competitors, but Katie put in two runs to put her 4th behind Jamie Anderson, Carly Shorr and Christy Prior. Earlier in the week, after a fresh falling of snow, Jamie Nicholls just missed out on finals with 12th place, and Billy Morgan 22nd. In the Ladies qualifiers Aimee Fuller finished a great 7th place, just missing out on finals at the Olympic Test Event.

Katie Summerhayes qualified into the Ski Slopestyle finals in 2nd place just behind Tiril Sjåstad Christiansen. In the finals she kept her rail line the same as in qualifying: a blind 2 out of the top rail and then front 4 out of the down flat down; but she upped her jumps by adding a switch right 9 japan to left 360 tail grab, and then into the 900 on the bottom jump. She put down three solid runs but not quite as clean as she had hoped which lost her points. In the end Katie took 6th place, which she's incredibly happy with, as it was certainly one of the toughest finals of the year so far. Tiril Sjåstad Christiansen took the win, followed by Maggie Voisin in 2nd, Emma Dahlstrom in 3rd, 4th Dara Howell, 5th Yuki Tsubota and Katie Summerhayes in 6th. Isabel Atkin took 7th which is another incredibly great result for her, and once again shows her consistency.

In the Men’s Ski Slopestyle, James Woods finished 10th in his qualifiers heat, finishing in 16th overall, and teammate Tyler Harding finishing 22nd in his qualifiers heat. Gold and Silver went to Norway, with Felix Stridsberg-Usterud and Oystein Braaten respectively, followed by Fabien Boesch from Switzerland.

The Olympic Test Event had good reviews, and the countdown to 2018 is well and truly on!

This week sees the first ever X Games in Oslo, with James Woods and Billy Morgan taking part. The X Games start on Wednesday, with Billy and Woodsy in action on Friday for the heats in Snowboard and Ski Big Air.

Winter Youth Olympic Games

The action at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer came to a conclusion yesterday.

Golden Girl, Madi Rowlands impressed again on Friday - this time in the Ski Slopestyle, taking a Bronze medal to accompany her Gold from Ski Halfpipe earlier in the week. Rowlands scored 67.20 and 67.80 in her two runs and said after the event:

“I feel so happy at the moment because I didn’t expect it all. I haven’t been on the podium much in my career so it’s definitely that extra bit more special.

“To be honest I didn’t really know what position I was in at the top of the second run. I like to stay relaxed and don’t really get nervous. I guess that helps in this sport.”

Cal Sandieson also got a chance to shine, putting in an amazing performance on the Slopestyle Course to finish in 4th place.

Both Iain Innes and Yasmin Cooper had some strong results in the Alpine disciplines, with Iain Innes rounding off the week with a 20th place finish in the Slalom. This followed his 17th place in the GS and 32nd in Super G earlier in the week. Cooper also finished 20th in the Slalom, after an amazing 13th in Alpine Combined and 19th in Super G.

Watch Jenny Jones catching up with the YOG athletes in Lillehammer on Ski Sunday available on BBC iPlayer here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006v8fc

British Aerials Team

Lloyd Wallace took 28th place in the last Aerials World Cup of the season in Minsk, Belarus on Saturday. With the cancellation of the World Cup finals in Sierra Nevada, Spain, Minsk became the tour final. Lloyd has had a great World Cup season including an incredible personal best of 7th at the Deer Valley World Cup and 16th at the Moscow World Cup.

British Nordic Team

At the Lahti Cross Country World Cup in Finland on Saturday, Andrew Young finished 10th, Andrew Musgrave 56th and Callum Smith 77th in the 1.6km Sprint Free. Yesterday saw Musgrave finish in an impressive 18th place in the 15km Skiathlon.

Meanwhile, the U23 and Junior World Cross Country Ski Championships kicks off today in Rasnov. Today we see the Sprint with Duncan Gibb, James Clugnet and Lynne Gray in the Junior category, and Annika Taylor and Sarah Hale for U23s. Tomorrow the U23 Ladies will compete in the 10k Classic, followed by the Junior Men’s 10k Classic and Ladies 5k Classic on Wednesday. Taylor and Hale will continue to the Ladies’ 10k Freestyle on Thursday, with the Junior Men’s 15k Free and Junior Ladies’ 10k Free seeing Clugnet, Gibb and Gray competing on Friday.

We also have British Ski Jumping twins Jake and Robert Lock competing for GBR in tomorrow’s event.

Delancey British Alpine Team

Action starts on Wednesday for Delancey British Alpine Team athletes, Billy Major and Charlie Raposo, at the World Alpine Junior Ski Championships in Sochi, Russia. Both will compete in Super G, Alpine Combined, Giant Slalom and Slalom, with Billy also doing the Downhill which is the first event, taking place on Saturday.

British Ski Cross

Fresh from her 12th at Idre Ski Cross World Cup, Sweden, British racer Emily Sarsfield will next be in action on Friday at the World Cup and Olympic Ski Cross test event in PyeongChang.