Latest News and Results
British Children's Championships days 9-13
Day 1 Sunday 30th March
In close to perfect conditions on Meribel’s Du Corbey Olympic piste the best of Britain’s emerging talent was immediately obvious. The rivalry between friends and team mates Ed Drake, Douggy Crawford, David Ryding – who is Britain’s rising Slalom star this season – and Jan Michael Kochalski is longstanding and remains a keen spur to continued improvement on the international stage. In the end Drake got the better of Scotland’s on-form favourite, defending title holder Crawford, to steal the British Super G!
Crawford said “It was a tough course, I made a few little mistakes, mainly coming out of the start. I was a little hairy lower down, but overall it’s a good start to the week.”
The destination of the Women’s Super G never looked to be in doubt, even if Britain’s top World Cup skier Chemmy Alcott, finished remarking how untidy her skiing had been. Alcott retained her Super G title by a margin of 1.3 seconds from Pamela Thorburn. Jayme Baggio who is still skiing only part time while studying for 11 imminent GCSE exams, finished third, top Under 18 girl with an aggressive run which earned considerable praise from Alcott.
Piste Talk
There was excitement amongst the crowd when Jayme Baggio finished in 3rd. Spectator and supporter Karen Pocock stated that Jayme and her daughter Emily are having a great time competing and the event has been superbly organised by SnowsportGB. At the end of the races the supporters and teams gathered at the bottom of the slope for Sir John Ritbalt’s (President of British Land plc and SnowsportGB) opening speech and the prize giving ceremony. Drinks were available in the tented village so the audience didn’t go thirsty while celebrating the achievements of the winners. Chemmy Alcott was also signing autographs for the younger audience while teams and supporters mingled.
Day 2 Monday 31st March
Revised Competition Schedule
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Tuesday 1st April |
Downhill Inspection |
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Wednesday 2nd April |
British Junior Downhill Championship |
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Thursday 3rd April |
British Championship Super Combined |
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Friday 4th April |
British Championship Giant Slalom |
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Saturday 5th April |
British Junior Slalom Championship |
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Sunday 6th April |
British Junior Giant Slalom Championship |
Programme subject to change depending on weather and snow conditions.
Meribel welcomes Land Rover as the official vehicle partner of the British and Alpine and Snowboard teams. Land Rover has provided the Snowsport teams with vehicles including eight Discovery 3’s. The vehicles allow Snowsport GB to transfer large amounts of ski equipment and permit the team to travel in and out of Meribel with ease and comfort.
Matt Passey the Sponsorship and Promotions manager stated: ‘It’s fantastic to support Snowsport GB to create an excellent event and to showcase the vehicles.’
Land Rover are currently at the Land Rover Experience situated at La Chaudanne, where you can discover more information on the cars and test drive a Land Rover. ‘It’s incredible to be able to demonstrate the product and to show how ideal it is for the ski culture’ said Matt Passey.
The Land Rover Experience is open from 8.30am – 5.30pm and on Wednesday the 2nd and 9th to 7.30pm.
Piste Talk
British Champs on C4’s World Cup Skiing
For the Second year running Hothouse Productions working with Channel 4 are currently covering the British Land National Ski Championships. Last year was the first time the event was televised and it shocked TV execs as the ratings reached up to half a million. This year is set to repeat this feat if not improve! C4’s World Cup Skiing is hosted by former British Ski Team member Nick Fellows, who expressed great anticipation about this year’s championship stating: ‘It’s very exciting to be back in Meribel for the championships. The event looks even more organised than last year and Mark Simmers and the Snowsport GB team are doing a fantastic job. The championship seems more like a World Cup event this year, which can only help the competitors and the ratings!’
You will be able to watch Nick and the British Land National Ski Championship from the comfort of your own home on Channel 4 on Sunday the 6th of April from 8am or if you want that extra hour in bed, 9am on Channel 4 +1 .
Day 3 Tuesday 1st April
Downhill Training Mens Results
Downhill National Championships Mens Results
Downhill National Championships Ladies Results
For Ed Drake winning today's British Men's Downhill title in Meribel, France marked the realisation of goal he had held since he started ski racing. But for World Cup star Chemmy Alcott, (25, Twickenham) it was more like business as usual when she raced down the Du Corbey piste to win the British Women's Downhill for the fourth time since 2003.
Both members swept to their second titles in as many races here, adding to the Super G wins they enjoyed on Sunday. Drake's Super G result should ensure he graduates to the World Cup circuit alongside Britain's top ranked Finlay Mickel who could not extend his run of five consecutive British Downhill titles as he is sidelined for six months with a torn Achilles tendon.” It would have been great to race against Finlay today but it is also good to get my name on the downhill trophy alongside so many others. It's something I have always wanted because this is the one everyone talks about. “Commented Drake
The Patron of Snowsport GB his Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex returns to Meribel today in celebration of the 30th anniversary of BritishLand’s sponsorship of the National Ski Championships. The Earl of Wessex will be present at the Meribel auditorium tonight at 6.30pm for a vocal concert which will also celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Meribel ski resort
Prince Edward is visiting until the 4th of April and will watching the action from the bottom of the Stade and will be presenting the winners trophies at the prize giving.
The 2008 Altitude festival starts this Saturday the 5th April. Over the course of two weeks there will be live stand-up comedy, live music, international DJ's, slopestyle competitions and a lot of partying. The festival will feature comedians such as Lee Mack from the BBC’s BAFTA winning comedy the Sketch Show and the American Richard Hall who is best known for writing and appearing on the David Letterman Show. ‘It’s going to be huge!’ said Richard Lett, event organiser; ‘It’s great that the champs are on at the same time, so we can provide the entertainment for the event while Snowsport GB deal with the serious things’. Tickets go on sale today and are available at the Chaudanne and each ticket purchased will also contribute two euros to the World Wildlife Fund.
During the 2007-2008 season, Snowsport GB ran three competitions to win a week’s holiday to the British Land Alpine Ski Championships. Elements of the prize included flights and accommodation courtesy of directski.com, transfers from Land Rover, Lift Passes from Meribel Resort and beautiful Citizen Eco-Drive watches. Four lucky winners had the added bonus of a guided tour down the race piste with the Great Britain team coach, Mark Lees and the opportunity to ski with members of the British Ski Team. The winners, Peter and Andrew Hedges and Rebecca and Yvonne Mayne were ecstatic about meeting the team and found it incredible interesting learning about ski racing and the champs.
Day 4 Wednesday 2nd April
For results follow the links bellow
Downhill National Junior Championships Mens
Downhill National Junior Championships Ladies
Slalom National Championships Mens
Slalom National Championships Ladies
Peter Whelan (18, Uxbridge) fulfilled his own expectation today when he won the British Junior Men's Downhill title today. In flat light conditions on a fast, technically challenging course, Whelan skied a time of 1 minute 15.75 seconds, 1.08 seconds faster than Thomas (TJ) Baldwin, his compatriot from The British Land Alpine Ski Team."It was a good day for me because I skied well. There were a few little mistakes but overall it was a good performance." said Whelan
The Women's Junior Downhill saw one big jump, near the top of the course, cause major problems for girls who misread their racing line. Sega Fairweather (17, Swadlincote), lifted the Women's Junior title ahead of Swiss based Liz Stevenson (17, Villars)."It was hard in some places, but I tend to like this aggressive snow that it is on this course." said Fairweather.
In the Junior 1 age-group (17, Year of Birth 1991-1992) Nick Robinson of the British Land Youth Alpine team prevailed over his team-mate Harry Brown (17, Norwich).
Piste Talk 
Yesterday evening saw His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, presented with a special pair of Dynastar skis to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the ski resort of Méribel. Jean Marie Choffel, the former director of tourism for Méribel presented the Earl with both men and women skis -so the Countess still got her freebies! Sir John Ritblat was also presented with skis for the celebration of the 30th anniversary of British Land's sponsorship of the National Ski Championships.
Mark Simmers, CEO of Snowsport GB, was in attendance stating; 'It was a great evening and it was fantastic to see Earl of Wessex and Sir John getting recognition for supporting Snowsport GB'.
Day 5 Thursday 3rd April
Super G National Junior Championships Mens
Super G National Junior Ladies
Super Combined National Championships Mens
Super Combined National Championships Ladies
Slalom Report
In last night’s falling snow, mild temperatures and occasional spells of drifting mountain mist, with floodlights serving only to create an eerie glow over the Du Corbey Slalom Stadium, Chemmy Alcott (25, Twickenham) overcame a sterling challenge from 17 year old Jayme Baggio (Harpenden,) to win her third title of these British Land Alpine Ski Championship in what was a thrilling, Ladies Slalom event. Meanwhile, in the Men's Slalom, seven times British Slalom champion Alain Baxter (35, Aviemore) had to bow to the youthful attack of the rising slalom star Dave 'Rocket' Ryding (21, Leyland Lancashire). Throughout his racing career to date, Ryding's ski hero has been Baxter, who rose to world ranked 11thin slalom world rankings in 2001. The new champion paid tribute to his learning from Baxter this season; "this is something I've dreamed about since I started racing on the dry slope at home. I never thought I would do it, but my slalom has come on so much this winter. It has really clicked and so much of it is down to Alain. He has been great, always helpful with advice, what to do when. He has so much experience."
For the second consecutive day at The British Land National Ski Championship youthful attack triumphed over age and experience as Louise Thomas overturned the form book to beat Britain's World Cup star Chemmy Alcott and win the first ever Super Combined title of these annual championships. Surrey domiciled Thomas, 19, trains in the winters with a private programme in nearby Val d'Isere, France and races with the local Club des Sports. Last summer she benefited from training with th
e British Land Alpine Team in Chile. Thomas went on to win by 12 hundredths of seconds, breaking Alcott's string of three titles after winning the Downhill, Slalom and Super G titles. "I have been skiing well in Slalom. It is good for my confidence to beat Chemmy certainly, but I was probably more pleased with the way that I skied.
Ed Drake (22, Kingston on Thames) now matches Alcott's hat trick of titles this week after he added the Men's Super Combined to the Super G and the Downhill triumphs. Ryding,
Thomas 'TJ' Baldwin(18, Norwich) won the Junior Super G title and finished best Under 18 competitor in the Super
Piste Talk
Snowsport GB welcomes Citizen Watches UK as the official timing sponsor for the British Land National Ski Championships. Citizen is a world leader in advanced technology, and at the forefront is its Eco-Drive collection, watches which run continuously in any kind of natural or artificial light for a lifetime of use. Watch Brand of the Year for the last 4 years, Citizen is the leading mid-priced watch brand in the UK.
Mark Robinson, Marketing Manager for Citizen watches UK, stated "Citizen Watch is delighted to be the official timekeeper of the British National Ski Championships. An event that brings together the very best of British talent where timing is critical to success. Citizen's accuracy will deliver the all important result”.
Day 6 Friday 4th April
Giant Slaloms National Championships Mens Results
Giant Slaloms National Championships Ladies Results
Winning the respective Men’s and Women’s Giant Slalom titles today Ed Drake (22, Kingston on Thames) and Chemmy Alcott (25, Twickenham) secured the overall British Championship titles.
Alcott lifted the championships’ top award for the sixth time, adding to wins in 1999, 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2007. Alcott was on electric form in her preferred, foundation discipline and set herself a lead of 2.2 seconds over Louise Thomas (18, Surrey). In the Men’s giant slalom Drake’s attack matched that of Alcott, with whom he has trained each summer for many years. The new 2008 champions live only ten minutes apart and have been friends since children’s age-group racing. Through the summer they often do their strength and conditioning training together in Kingston on Thames. “It’s not really sunk in,” grinned Drake, “You just come here hoping to do your best but I don’t think I ever expected to win the overall title. I suppose I am relieved that I’ve done it”. TJ Baldwin (18, Norwich) completed a clean sweep of all the Men’s Under 18 titles.
Piste Talk
Last night, The Hotel Allodis was the venue for British Land's National Ski Championship Gala Dinner. Sir John Ritblat and Dr Chris Gibson hosted the event, which saw His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex and Jean Marie Choffel in attendance. The winners from this weeks races, Chemmy Alcott, Ed Drake and TJ Baldwin, were also present, as well as the Snowsport GB team. During the dinner, speeches were heard from Sir John Ritblat and HRH Prince Edward. Both expressed gratitude to all the teams, for their hard work and input into this year’s championship, and to the people of Méribel, for their wonderful hospitality. Snowsport GB received a special mention from Sir John Ritblat, ‘I would like to thank Snowsport GB for the incredible work they have put in this year, without which none of this would be possible.’
In other news, the Alpine Ski Team put the Land Rover vehicles to the test yesterday afternoon at the Land Rover Experience display, situated at the foot of La Chaudanne. Chemmy Alcott, Pam Thorburn and Jan Kolchalski all showed off their driving skilld, as they drove the vehicles over ramps and slopes with ease. Matt Passey from Land Rover UK said "We at Land Rover were very impressed with the team’s skills off the slopes when they clearly demonstrated our vehicle’s competence over the various obstacles."
Don't forget, World Cup Skiing on Channel 4 this Sunday 6thApril 2008 at 8 am will focus on the 2008 British Land National Championships. Presenter Nick Fellows will be joined in the commentary box by injured British No.1 Finlay Mickel.
Day 7 Saturday 5th April
Slalom National Junior Championships Mens Results
Slalom National Junior Championships Ladies Results
Sam Wyer (18, Gloucester) overcame sharply contrasting snow conditions in Meribel, France to win the British Junior Slalom title yesterday.
Wyer, who skis with the British Development Squad, skied two solid, confident runs. After a hard overnight freeze the first track down the Du Corbey arena piste was icy and fast and took a high toll on the maximum sized field.
In both the Men’s and Women’s races the first run leaders failed to consolidate on their second heat.
Peter Whelan (18, Uxbridge) crashed out on the steep of his second run , while second placed Freddie Clough (19, Chelmsford) lost control one third of the way down his second run. Wyer went on to win by 2.48 seconds.
Jayme Baggio (17, Harpenden) built herself a lead of nearly one and a half second after a fluent first run attack down the girls’ icy course, but she lost control early on her second run, leaving Scot Sophie Readman (19, Dunblane) a clean run to her first British Junior Slalom title.
Piste Talk
A blast from Eds Past
This week has proved to be very successful for Ed Drake, but for Rosemarie Hopkins, a former ski instructor and family friend, it’s been very special. While holidaying in Méribel, Rosemarie from Kent, has had the opportunity to see her former student Ed Drake leap from strength to strength. Drake, following in his older brother James’ footsteps, was under the guidance of Rosemarie at the start of his ski career, aged just 3 years old. ‘I could see he had potential he didn’t want to snow plough he just wanted to go straight down’ she explained. Rosemarie only had Drake for a year before he was snapped up, but she still keeps in contact regularly, but was delighted to see him take the British Championships in Downhill, Super G, Super Combined and Giant Slalom. “It felt great to see him! I was so proud to see Ed achieve that; I gave him a nice, big hug and said ‘well done!’“
Once again Direct-ski has shown immense support for the British ski team. The UK's fastest growing ski tour operator, has been this years official tour operator for the British Land National Ski Championships. The Dublin-based company’s CEO, Anthony Collins, commented: "We feel honoured to be working with Snowsport GB again. As keen skiers ourselves, we are delighted to be part of the championship”.
Day 8 Sunday 6th April
Giant Slaloms National Junior Championships Mens Results
Giant Slaloms National Junior Championships Ladies Results
Winning the Women’s Junior Giant Slalom today in Meribel, France at The British Land National Ski Championships in Meribel, France, Sophie Readman clinched the overall British Junior Women’s title.
While she admitted to being slightly disappointed with the technical standard of her skiing this week, citing tiredness at the end of a long, demanding season as a contributing factor, Readman (18, Dunblane) of the Scottish Alpine Ski Team skied to her second discipline title of the week when she held off the challenge from Niki Sole (17, Shipton on Stour, Warwks) to win by 66 hundredths of a second over the two runs.
Readman, who also won the Women’s Junior Slalom, made her first start at Europa Cup level this season, concluded: “That’s a good way to finish the week. To be honest I never thought about winning the overall title but it’s a good feeling, doing well across the full range of events, but to be honest it feels like just a small landmark along the way, I have way higher goals in my skiing. But it’s a nice little ego boost and will do something for my confidence.”
Sam Wyer (18, Gloucester) finished runner-up, just 27 hundredths of a second behind British Youth Team member, Harry Brown (16, Chateauneuf, France), but won the overall Men’s British Junior title, winning the Slalom and taking third in the Downhill.
Trespass
Tresspass are this year's official clothing supplier for the British Land National Ski Championships Race Organising Committee. Tresspass have kindly provided the committee with sponsor branded ski jackets, pants and lightweight soft shell jackets which include theTres-Tex® technology. Waterproof, windproof and breathable, this performance fabric is used in many of the Trespass ranges.
Maree Rudd, Chief of Championships stated "the Trespass clothing has been fantastic and the hill team have looked smart and professional. The clothing has made the team instantly recognisable, and has been amazing for adapting to the change in weather conditions".
Chill Factore
As the end of the winter ski season approaches, Manchester's indoor ski park, Chill Factore, will be preparing for the British ski team's summer training program.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. On the 5thof June Snowsport GB and Snowsport England will be hosting a corporate slalom event and all snowsport enthusasts are invited. More information about the slalom will be available shortly at www.snowsportgb.com
