More medals for our Ski & Snowboarding Team
In December the Ardingly ski team travelled to Les Deux Alpes in France to defend their title at the Independent Schools' Ski and Snowboard Championships.
After training for a couple of days, in near-perfect skiing conditions, the group were in high spirits and ready to race. Being up against schools such as Wycombe Abbey, who had arrived with their own personal ski-trainers, we knew this year's competition was going to be tough. Weather conditions stayed clear but temperatures dropped significantly as we were to race on a glacier at an altitude of 3600 metres. In the Giant Slalom the Ardingly A team came third with some exceptional individual performances from Alessio Balbo di Vinadio (1st), Luke Barratt (5th), Jennie Sloane (11th), Rory Davis and Laura Williams (12th equal) .
On the final day of racing the weather provided even more of a challenge. For the Slalom race the wind-chill and incoming snow meant that competitors were enduring temperatures of minus 33 degrees. We did well to come second in this race, beating Hurstpierpoint and Kings' College, Wimbledon.
Our snowboarders enjoyed training with pro-boarder Chris Southwell and also did well to race the Parallel course which is set up for skiing! The Parallel course is two adjacent identical courses where teams' race head-to-head in a ‘knock out' competition in an attempt to get all 4 team members down the course first. This is the most exciting of all the races and this year was no exception. In continuing sub-zero conditions and virtually zero visibility, ALL of the Ardingly teams did themselves very proud. The final was a tightly fought, heated race between Ardingly A team and Wycombe Abbey's A team. In a nail-biting finish, we beat them to the final gate!
Unfortunately, our achievements were not enough to retain the overall Championships but we hope to return next year to re-claim the title. Despite this, Ardingly students have much to be proud of. The competition has never been held in such adverse and freezing conditions so our students are to be commended for their perseverance, continuous team-spirit and their impressive sportsman-like conduct.
Special mention also for Laura Williams who has represented the College at every Championship since it began and will be missed next year! Also to Alessio who was on his usual top form, securing first place in every single one of his races – perhaps he can return to train next year's team?!
