British Ski & Snowboard

18 December 2013

BSS Cross Country Athletes at World University Games

Sarah Young BUCS
Senior GBR team members Sarah Young and Callum Smith  ( both of Huntly Nordic SC and Edinburgh University) attended the World University Games in Trentino (ITA). The cross-country events were held at the World Championship stadium of Val di Fiemme. The competition was strong with many first class athletes present for skiathlon, sprints, and individual free technique events. Sarah put in good performances in the skiathlon (56th) and sprints (53rd) but excelled at the individual time trial with a season's best of 148 FIS points to come 65/93. Sarah commented "the games provide high quality competititon in a relaxed atmosphere and a really enjoyable experience for university athletes".
 
Callum Smith, drove across from Continental Cup (OPA) races at StUllrich in Austria for the individual event. Callum put in a best ever GBR World University Games performance to come in 50/114 with a highly creditable 79 FIS points. Both Sarah and Callum have now left the games for training at altitude in Livigno. Callum is pressing hard for Sochi qualification.
 
Team Manager and Coach Roger Homyer (Highland Nordic) said "these games provide an ideal opportunity for our university based skiers to attend a well organised and led games of world class. The British University and College Sport (BUCS) support team provided wonderful assistance during and before the games. I thoroughly recommend the games (the next are scheduled for Grenada (SPA) in February 2015) for all snowsport athletes aspiring to high class and peak performance during university".