Cutting Edge 05/12/2007
Welcome to the latest edition of Cutting Edge from Snowsport GB which will keep you updated on all the latest from the British Ski team. Along with results, we'll be featuring profiles of the athletes and teams, will hear from the coaches and sponsors and will keep you informed about the main news and events throughout the season.
Snowsports Stamp Out Drugs
There is no place for drugs in sport, and winter sports are no exception.
Snowsport GB is one of the first sports bodies in the UK to fully induct all World Cup athletes on to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) new Anti-Doping Administration Management System (ADAMS), which is provided through UK Sport and requires athletes to provide daily details of where they are for out of competition testing.
British athletes are among the first in the world to use the online ADAMS system. There are four core functions of ADAMS, to collect and monitor Athlete Whereabouts, manage Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE), provide Clearing House of information regarding entry of and sharing of results, and finally Doping Control. This user-friendly tool aims to make andi-doping updates controls easy, manageable and effective, with emphasis on its athlete-friendly methods of testing and data entry.
The British Ski and Snowboard Teams athletes are as committed to observing and adhering to the regulations set by the anti-doping agencies. Having undergone training delivered by UK Sport, they understand the seriousness of drug-use in sport and the disgrace this could cause, not only for themselves but for their team members and Snowsport GB. Drugs in sport make competition unfair, with winning under the influence of drugs is undeserved. Let’s keep it out!
For further information on any of the above go to www.100percentme.co.uk/home.php.
Snowsport GB Charity Ball 2008
February 12th 2008 will see Snowsport GB hold a Charity Ball at London’s Dorchester Hotel. HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex will be in attendance at the prestigious event which aims to raise funds for the British Alpine Ski and Snowboard teams to assist in their quest for success at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games.
The charity ball will also raise funds for the British Adaptive Ski Team through the charity Disability Snowsport UK which aims to increase the opportunities, fitness and skills of people with disabilities, and to identify and nurture the potential of young athletes.
A glittering crowd is expected at the event with many past and present Olympians having expressed their support for the Snowsport GB teams. There will also be a variety of stars from the world of sport and entertainment attending. The glamorous black tie event will include a live performance from the Rick Parfitt Jnr Rock Band.
Fireball Events are organising the evening which begins at 7.30pm with a drinks reception. This will then be followed by dinner at 8pm, with entertainment starting at 9.30pm. The night is sure to be a resounding success for all concerned.
For booking and other information on this sensational evening please contact:
Fireball Management
Telephone: 020 8704 4141
Email: info@fireballmanagement.com
Website: www.fireballmanagement.com
30 years of Support from British Land
The British Land Company will celebrate its 30th anniversary of sponsorship of the British Land National Championship this season. The Alpine Ski Championships held in the French resort of Méribel will once more bring together the best of British senior, junior and children racers to compete in the Downhill, Super G, Giant Slalom, Slalom and Super Combined disciplines.
Located in the ‘Heart of the Three Valleys’ in the Savoie region and sitting at 1,450 metres, Méribel has two Olympic tracks, two slalom arenas and no less than 150 km of ski slopes. Méribel is arguably one of the world’s largest and most interesting skiing areas.
Thanks to the continued involvement of Sir John Ritblat, President of Snowsport GB, and the British Land Company, this will be the 30th year of sponsorship of the British Land National Ski Championships. As one of the largest property development and investment companies in the UK, The British Land Company has supported the contest since 1978 and is also the principal sponsor of the British Alpine Ski Team. The Championship will see senior and junior racers competing from 30 March until 6 April, and the children’s competitions running from 8 April until 11 April 2008.
With so many exciting races coming up, visitors and athletes will be able to enjoy some special anniversary celebrations in Méribel. For more information, please visit www.snowsportgb.com/British-Championships in January for up to date British Championships information, including how to register with Snowsport GB for the races.
For those who won’t be able to join the team in France, the British Land Championships will be televised during a one hour highlights show on 6 April 2008 on Channel 4. Exciting times coming up - who will take over from the previous champions? For further information on sponsorship, contact Snowsport GB, info@snowsportgb.com
Alain Baxter: Local Hero
Baxter Facts
- Age:33
· HomeTown:Aviemore, Scotland
· Disciplines:Slalom, Giant Slalom
· Named after the 1970s skier Alain Penz
· Alain was a semi professional hockey player
· At 16 he was selected for the British Alpine Ski Team
· He worked in labouring and landscaping to pay his way through races
· 2002 ranked 11th in the world, the highest ever position for a British alpine racer
How long have you been skiing?
I first put on skis when I was two years old as my family are really into skiing!
What is your preferred discipline?
Slalom.
If you were not a ski racer what would you be doing?
Playing ice hockey and still trying to play golf.
What’s on your ipod?
Everything from Barry White to ACDC.
What was the first record you ever bought?
The first record I had was the Band Aid song 'Do They Know It's Christmas'. I was given it by my first girlfriend at school.
What's the last thing you think of before going to sleep?
I'm not a great sleeper. I always have a lot of things on my mind, especially racing. I try to relax before bed by watching DVDs or playing Tiger Woods’ golf game on the Playstation.
What is your daily training regime?
My training programme changes quite a lot. In summer I do around six to nine weeks skiing. This year the whole team went to Chile for four weeks as well as training in Europe before hand. Normally we are skiing for three or four hours in the morning then after lunch I usually do about an hour and a half physical training. When I’m not skiing I’m at home physical training, five days a week, two sessions a day. During the season I train around the races and do more physical training to keep a good level of fitness through the season.
What would be your advice to young skiers?
Start racing seriously from the age of 11. I was bought a season ticket, so it meant that I had to go every weekend. I used to ski a lot for fun and then changed to racing. I also played a lot of different sports; this really helps continued levels of fitness. You should also find out about the local ski club in your area. For further information on this contact your Home Nation governing body (i.e. Snowsport Scotland, Snowsport England or Snowsport Wales).
What do you hope to achieve this season?
To be back in the top 30. It is very competitive amongst the top athletes. I'm racing as fast as everyone else so the podium places are there for the taking.
What do you see in the future for Alain Baxter?
A quiet life on a sunny deserted island sounds great! I’ll continue to compete as long as I believe I can still win. I am still hungry for success and I want to win World Cups.
Round-Up
Gelio in Norway will be the focus point on the Europa Cup circuit this week (4-5 December). Britain has high hopes for Andy Noble who is expected to be battling for a podium place.
Dougie Crawford is competing in the slalom events at Tschagguns, Austria this week and will take confidence from his 10th place overall in the SuperCombined in Davos, Switzerland last week.
Recovering from a broken arm, Noel Baxter finished an encouraging 15th place in the Slalom round of the Nor-Am Championship, Colorado.
Chemmy Alcott added to her World Cup points score with two consecutive 28th places in the Downhill and SuperG in Lake Louise, Canada last weekend.
Keep up to speed with the British Skiers!
To make sure you are up to date with the British Ski Team this year make sure you have full coverage of the upcoming competitions. Cutting Edge will bring you the latest competition schedules to ensure ski enthusiasts know to watch for and when.
World Cup
The next competition sees the ladies compete in the World Cup competition in Aspen and the men hit the slopes in Austria.
- 4-9 December – Downhill, Slalom and Super G (Ladies) – Aspen, USA, coverage on Eurosport 5.30 – 7.30pm Friday 7 December and Sunday 9 December 5.45 – 7.15.
- 8-9 December – Slalom and Giant Slalom (Mens) - Bad Kleinkrichheim, Austria.
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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!)
Europa Cup
France is the next stop for the male competitors who will hope for British triumph over other competing nations.
The ladies race in Italy in the next Europa Cup competitions where it is hoped both Mel Piper and Pam Thorburn will be in the running for success.
- 9-10 December – Giant Slalom (Mens) - Valloire, France
- 10-11 December – Slalom and Giant Slalom (Ladies) - Alleghe-Zoldo, Italy
