Suffolk’s Tom Hudson claimed the English Under-16 Giant Slalom title at the 2017 English Alpine Championships.
Culford School student Hudson had struggled in the slalom, crashing out during the first run of the competition, but bounced back in style with two scintillating runs seeing him finish second overall – just 0.25 seconds behind Scotland’s Owen Vinter.
That result meant Hudson was crowned English under-16 boys champion, and he believes his disappointment of the day before had spurred him on to success.
“I was pleased with today,” said the 16-year-old. “I held onto second place after my second run, with both my runs pretty much on the edge. I nearly came out of the course a few times, but just managed to hold on. I was really pushing it, and it was quick.
“I didn’t have the best day yesterday in the Slalom, I wasn’t feeling great. But it gave me more fire for today and helped me get this result.
“It’s been a good season for me so far. I won the Anglo-Scottish Slalom and Giant Slalom, and I came third in an International Children’s Race in the Czech Republic when I was competing for Great Britain.
“I am going to Topolino, in Italy, next with the GB team for another International Race before heading to Tignes for the British Alpine Ski Championships.”
And Ipswich’s Kathryn Bailey ended her adventure finishing third in the under-18 Giant Slalom event to end up as the second-best English under-18 female of the skier during the week.
“I skied pretty well in the final race so I’m pretty happy,” Bailey said. “I kept it clean and kept my good form going, plus my coach set the course which always helps.
“It’s another British podium for me and the week has been good. I was really happy with the Super-G and Alpine Combined especially as they scared me a lot as it is so steep.
“But I lived and did well, plus the Slalom and GS were good fun as well. I’m confident from this definitely and I’m looking forward to the British Champs.”
- Full results from the championships are 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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