Independent Schools Ski Championships 2012
The 7th Independent Schools Ski and Snowboard Championships was held in perfect conditions in the French resort of Les Deux Alpes, with up to 100 racers from a wide selection of schools from all over the country, competing in slalom, giant slalom and parallel slalom in boys, girls, junior and team divisions.
Held over four days the championships starts with two days of training allowing all competitors to find their rhythm before competing against each other on the main resort stade.
“This was my first time at the event, and I was hugely impressed by the races, and the friendly but competitive spirit in which they were run” commented Ian Roberts the Technical Director of the event, and Chairman of the British TD Forum.
With a very strong team, led by Sam Todd-Saunders. Hurstpierpoint took home the Gold team titles in both the slalom and giant slalom events. An impressive Whitgift took bronze, missing silver to Kings College Wimbledon by a meagre 0.05 seconds. Wycombe Abbey A team where responsible for nudging the Kings College Wimbledon team down the pecking order in the Slalom event.
Individually the Boys and Girls events were dominated by the Todd-Saunders siblings, with Sam and his younger sister Helen claiming the titles in both the Slalom and Giant Slalom. Jamie Butt from Ardingly showed huge improvement this year claiming a silver in both divisions, and the bronze medals were taken home by Jake Gilkinson from Whitgift and Hugo Mooney of Hurstpierpoint in the Giant Slalom and Slalom.
In the Girls Lucy Maynard and Olivia Knowles from Wycombe Abbey both claimed silver in the Slalom, and Giant Slalom respectively. Knowles also took home bronze for the slalom, and Coco Vulliamy-Taylor from St Swithuns took home the bronze in the Giant Slalom. To see two girls aged thirteen on the podium for the Girls Giant Slalom Senior Division is an impressive statement of intent, and bodes for some exciting times ahead for the division!
The Team Parallel Slalom was as exciting as ever, with a handful of nail biting legs. Wycombe Abbey in particular deserve special mention for getting to the final by claiming two gruelling bouts against Kings College Wimbledon and Whitgift. However, the Hurstpierpoint Team were simply too strong for the girls, and they claimed their third team trophy of the Championships.
The event was concluded with a Gala Supper, and prize giving ceremony with prizes from Basecamp Ski and Snowboard, Westbeach, Salomon and Rubix Kangaroo.
“We were very happy with how the event ran, and it was a great testament to see so many schools and pupils returning to the Championships year after year,” said Linley Lewis, the event organiser, and Basecamp Director.
The 2013 event promises to be equally spectacular with current interest indicating to 150 racers from over 10 schools.
Held over four days the championships starts with two days of training allowing all competitors to find their rhythm before competing against each other on the main resort stade.
“This was my first time at the event, and I was hugely impressed by the races, and the friendly but competitive spirit in which they were run” commented Ian Roberts the Technical Director of the event, and Chairman of the British TD Forum.
With a very strong team, led by Sam Todd-Saunders. Hurstpierpoint took home the Gold team titles in both the slalom and giant slalom events. An impressive Whitgift took bronze, missing silver to Kings College Wimbledon by a meagre 0.05 seconds. Wycombe Abbey A team where responsible for nudging the Kings College Wimbledon team down the pecking order in the Slalom event.
Individually the Boys and Girls events were dominated by the Todd-Saunders siblings, with Sam and his younger sister Helen claiming the titles in both the Slalom and Giant Slalom. Jamie Butt from Ardingly showed huge improvement this year claiming a silver in both divisions, and the bronze medals were taken home by Jake Gilkinson from Whitgift and Hugo Mooney of Hurstpierpoint in the Giant Slalom and Slalom.
In the Girls Lucy Maynard and Olivia Knowles from Wycombe Abbey both claimed silver in the Slalom, and Giant Slalom respectively. Knowles also took home bronze for the slalom, and Coco Vulliamy-Taylor from St Swithuns took home the bronze in the Giant Slalom. To see two girls aged thirteen on the podium for the Girls Giant Slalom Senior Division is an impressive statement of intent, and bodes for some exciting times ahead for the division!
The Team Parallel Slalom was as exciting as ever, with a handful of nail biting legs. Wycombe Abbey in particular deserve special mention for getting to the final by claiming two gruelling bouts against Kings College Wimbledon and Whitgift. However, the Hurstpierpoint Team were simply too strong for the girls, and they claimed their third team trophy of the Championships.
The event was concluded with a Gala Supper, and prize giving ceremony with prizes from Basecamp Ski and Snowboard, Westbeach, Salomon and Rubix Kangaroo.
“We were very happy with how the event ran, and it was a great testament to see so many schools and pupils returning to the Championships year after year,” said Linley Lewis, the event organiser, and Basecamp Director.
The 2013 event promises to be equally spectacular with current interest indicating to 150 racers from over 10 schools.
Giant Slalom
Boys
1. Sam Todd- Saunders – Hurstpierpoint
2. Jamie Butt – Ardingly College
3. Jake Gilkinson – Whitgift
Girls
1. Helen Todd-Saunders – Hurstpierpoint
2. Olivia Knowles – Wycombe Abbey
3. Coco Vulliamy-Taylor – St Swithuns
Team
1. Hurstpierpoint
2. Kings College Wimbledon
3. Whitgift
Slalom
Boys
1. Sam Todd- Saunders – Hurstpierpoint
2. Jamie Butt – Ardingly College
3. Hugo Mooney – Hurstpierpoint
Girls
1. Helen Todd-Saunders – Hurstpierpoint
2. Lucy Maynard – Wycombe Abbey
3. Olivia Knowles – Wycombe Abbey
Team
1. Hurstpierpoint
2. Wycombe Abbey
3. Kings College Wimbledon
Parellel Slalom
1. Hurstpierpoint
2. Wycombe Abbey
Want to get involved next year? Watch the movie below, or send an email to [email protected]
