Cutting Edge 21/11/2007
British Ski Team Up the Chill Factore in Manchester
On the 2nd November 2007, the British Ski and Snowboard teams test drove the Chill Factore, Manchester. Chill Factore will be the Alpine team’s new official indoor training centre.
The new £31 million ski centre is the first indoor, real snow Alpine ski village in the North West of England. It has three separate, but interconnected, real snow slopes - including a dedicated nursery area for beginners - and a cresta-inspired luge run. The development includes the UK’s longest and world’s widest real snow indoor ski slope at 180 metres long and 100 metres wide.
Chris Hollins from the BBC joined the team whilst they put the new facility through its paces. In between runs, Hollins asked the skiers how the new facility would assist their preparation for the coming season.
Finlay Mickel, currently ranked 55 in the world, said: “This centre lets us train all year round and will help us prepare for international competitions. The state-of-the-art facilities are excellent and to practice on real snow is a great boost to our training programme.”
England’s Alpine Ski team has already established their UK training headquarters at the Chill Factore and the British Disabled Ski team will also use the venue for training, ahead of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics.
The main slope boasts a column-free structure and has roof-suspended Poma tow lifts to give skiers a unique opportunity for unobstructed activity. The authentically themed ‘Alpine Street’ caters for snowsport fans as well as a range of other visitors – complete with specialist shops, bars and restaurants and features of panoramic windows and balconies that showcase stunning views across the real snow slopes.
Snowsports enthusiasts are advised to pre-book their places to avoid missing out on the full experience on offer at Chill Factore.
Summer Preparations Kick Start 2007 Season
New Snowsport GB CEO Mark Simmers believes this season will be the best in recent history for British skiing. With a dynamic mix of youth and experience, many think that Britain has the talent to challenge the powerhouses of international skiing such as Austria and America.
The preparations for the season began this summer in South America where the best snow can be found during the summer months. The British Ski team have capitalised on this with intensive training alongside the top skiing nations and are now in tip top condition, eagerly awaiting the start of the season. 
Such concentrated preparations have bred new confidence among the teams and podium places are a realistic target. "This season we are expecting to take British skiing to new levels and challenge regularly for medals. The British teams are in pole position this year and we expect the rigorous training and preparation during the summer months to translate into podium places." says Simmers, who took over the CEO post this April.
One of the rising stars in the British Alpine team, Dougie Crawford pictured here training, believes: "The slopes in South America are some of the best in the world and preparing there during the summer months is a big step in the right direction for British skiing.”
This training regime has already reaped rewards with Chemmy Alcott, who put in a fantastic opening performance at the Giant Slalom World Cup in Soelden, Austria. Unfortunately she failed to complete the end run as the binding on her ski came free, however after her first run Alcott was in 11th place only, 0.87 seconds behind the pace and was vying for a podium position.
This performance will be a boost to the rest of the British team and enhance motivation all round.
Baxter Opens Season with Strong Result
On the 8th November 2007, Alain Baxter kick started his preparations for his thirteenth year of World Cup Slalom with a good showing at the European Cup in Landgraaf, The Netherlands. 
With a final combined time of 24.27 seconds, Baxter placed 6th and missed the top three by 0.27 seconds. Baxter showed no signs of a lower back problem that left him sidelined for six weeks during the summer. The 33 year old from Aviemore said of the result: “I’m very happy with my performance, especially with the second run. The conditions of the slope suited me and it was a good way to prepare for the World Cup Slalom.”
Snowsport GB Aims to Secure Future of Rising Stars 
On the 6th November Snowsport GB launched the ‘Rising Stars Programme’ which seeks funding for future young British snowsports talent.
In partnership with City Ski Championships, Snowsport GB is hoping to raise funds for the team of exceptional, up and coming, talented British skiers, who have a genuine chance of competing at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
This initiative offers potential sponsors the opportunity to associate themselves with the British Ski Team and support the future talent of British skiing. Over the next 3 years, the programme aims to raise £450,000 to help young skiers fulfil their world class potential and Olympic medal dreams.
The funding will allow Snowsport GB to enhance training provision and increase competition opportunities for the young athletes. The current team are on a par with the major Alpine nations and increased funding will allow the team to gain a competitive advantage over the best in the world.
Through the ‘Rising Stars Programme’ Snowsport GB will be able to employ more coaches, recruit specialised ski technicians, provide more physiotherapy, sports science support, and provide a more comprehensive training programme using the best slopes in the world.
Directski.com Backs the Brits 
Directski.com has renewed its sponsorship of the British Ski Team for the 2007/08 season, becoming the official tour operator of the 2008 British Championships.
The British Championships, which will take place in Méribel from 30th March – 11th April, is an event where the best of British talent can showcase their skills on a world stage.
The UK’s fastest growing ski tour operator will provide financial support to allow the British Ski team to have the same opportunities as their leading competitors across the globe.
Bringing the team to a high profile competition such as the World Cup deserves a well-known UK sponsor to bring their profile to the forefront.
If you want to get behind the team and show your support in Méribel, book your ski holiday with Directski.com to see the best British athletes in action! Prices from £279pp from Gatwick or Manchester including flights, transfers, accommodation and a free dinner during Directski.com barbecue on Wednesday April 2rd!
For more information, visitwww.directski.com/go/snowsport for details.
And the competition begins......
This Saturday, 24 November, sees the ski season start in earnest for the British Team, with racing almost every weekend from now until April 2008.
Finlay Mickel and Noel Baxter are both taking part in the first World Cup Downhill and Super G of the season in Lake Louise, Canada. Three compulsory training days precede the races, which are timed and affect the skiers' starting positions. Finlay and Noel are competing in the downhill on 24th November and and Super G on the 25th, Noel with his arm in a carbon fibre guard to proctect his recently broken arm.
Chemmy Alcott is also racing in the Women's World Cup in the Giant Slalom the same weekend in Panorama, Canada.
Watch out for…
Live coverage on Eurosport of Chemmy Alcott, Finlay Mickel and Noel Baxter competing this weekend. Coverage starts at 5pm on Saturday 24th and 4.30pm on Sunday.
World Cup Skiing on Channel 4 - Sunday 25th 7.55am - 9am (or 8.55am on Channel 4+1 for those who want a long lie!)
Next edition of Cutting Edge Wednesday 5th November 
