Ipswich skier Alexa Elliff claimed a thrilling slalom victory at the 2017 English Alpine Championships in Bormio, Italy.
Monday’s action saw the racers enjoy near-perfect conditions on the resort’s fearsome Stelvio piste, with hard snow underfoot compounded by perfect blue skies overhead.
And 13-year-old Elliff took full advantage, scooping the English national under-14 girls’ slalom title ahead of Olivia Herries and Isla Ward – winning by a whopping 3.17 seconds over the two runs.
Elliff, who studies at Ipswich High School for Girls, has also represented Great Britain at the International Children’s Races this year, and was thrilled she did not hold back on the Bormio piste.
“I just went for it in the slalom,” she said. “The course was pretty turny in run one, but I just went all out and managed to have a really good run.
“Run two was less turny, and I managed to keep the lead. I was trying to be really focused before the race and not get too pumped up, because then I don’t do as well.
“The races were nerve-wracking, but it was a fantastic atmosphere. I have just done a lot more training than in previous seasons, and I am in the older half of my age group, so I feel really confident.”
And Elliff was not the only local athlete in action, with Ipswich skier Kathryn Bailey also finishing as the fourth-highest Brit in the under-18s women’s Slalom.
The 16-year-old British Ski Academy racer just missed out on the podium, as she was edged out by Hannah Loeffen-Gallagher, Megan Riley, and Lucy Scott on the fearsome Stelvio piste.
She said “That’s a really good result, one of my best of the season so I’m happy and I skied a lot better than I did on Sunday.
“I’ve really got to concentrate on my fitness and on what I’m eating in order to improve.”
- Follow the English Alpine Championships on the Snowsport England Facebook page and get live updates on Twitter @SnowsportEng. Full results will be available at www.snowsportengland.org.uk while you can find your nearest slope offering value-for-money GO SKI GO BOARD sessions at www.goskigoboard.org.uk
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