Southampton Area Ski Association  & Skiing for Schools

SASA

SASA Success at Scottish Championships

Congratulations to SASA member Philip Brookes (aged 14) winner of the Scottish Children’s Slalom Ski Championships for 2008.

 

Over this winter, Philip has made great progress, reducing his slalom seed points from 858 at the start of the season to 403 after the BARSC championships in France over New Year.  This secured a better start position for the January 2008 British Schoolboys Championships in Switzerland at which Philip represented SASA and his school, Springfield.  Philip secured a finish of 16th in his age group on the second run of the slalom and 23rd position overall for the Giant Slalom.  Philip’s slalom seed points were also reduced to 315 which would again lead to a more favourable start position in the next race.

 

On Friday 14th March, after school he travelled to the Nevis range in the shadow of Ben Nevis for the Scottish Children’s Ski Championships.  Arriving at 2.30 a.m. and then sleeping in the car was not exactly ideal preparation for the championships.  A reasonable, but reserved, first run in the Giant Slalom on the Saturday enabled a slight improvement in points, but crashing out on the steep section of the second run ended the days racing for Philip.

 

Having found a B&B for the Saturday night, a restful afternoon, followed by a meal and an early night proved to be much better preparation for racing.

 

Early on Sunday morning, after a Full English breakfast, it was back to the slopes for the Scottish Children’s Slalom Championships.

 

The conditions were very difficult with a combination of poor visibility and steep, soft snow.  Philip attacked the first run and set the fastest time with his best race run to date.  The second run was a little more reserved to ensure a good finish position in the overall standings.  Despite skiing within himself, Philip again set the fastest time to extend his overall lead.

 

Not only did Philip win the Championship, but also improved his seed points sufficiently to meet the qualification mark to apply for his full FIS race licence.

 

A great weekend and well worth the effort.

 

Full results are at http://www.britski.org/08scotchildslres.pdf

Philip with the  Championship trophy