Our skiers sped ahead of school teams from throughout the country to win The Independent Schools' Ski & Snowboard Championships, held in Les Deux Alpes, France.

The competition, held during the Christmas holiday, was organised by the Base Camp Group and attracted some of the UK’s top teenage skiers.

However, Ardingly, competing for only the second time, triumphed not only to win the Parallel Slalom and Slalom and a clutch of medals, but also the overall competition.

The Ardingly A team, comprising Will Reed (Captain), Tom Spector, Maddy Smyth, Chris Marsh and Jennie Sloane took the Gold Medal in the Parallel Slalom (a relay ski slalom race) while the B team comprising Lawrence Hunton (Captain), Laura Hutton, Wil Hutton, Jennie Sloane (who changed teams on second day) and Harry Parkinson took the Gold medal in the Slalom.

The Ardingly C team of Luke Duckworth (Captain), Daniel Draper, Ed Syed, Jonny Williams and Will Land-Smith took Silver in the same event.

The Slalom event took place on a very tough and icy course and all the A teams either crashed out or pulled out, leaving the B and C teams victorious in this particular challenge!

Individual pupils from Ardingly College also achieved the following medals: 

Tom Spector - Gold medal in the Boys' Giant Slalom event; Jennie Sloane - Silver medal in the Girls' Giant Slalom event.

Daniel Draper - Bronze medal in the Boys' Slalom event; Jennie Sloane - Silver medal in the Girls' Slalom event.

Jennie Sloane and Daniel Draper, both 14, were the youngest competitors in the Ardingly squad and were up against pupils of all age groups, up to age 18.

The College Ski Club was set up in April 2006 by games teacher Lucinda Calvert and, during term time, they train on dry slopes at the Bowles Ski Centre, Tunbridge Wells.

Miss Calvert said: “The competition provides a great forum in which to introduce young skiers to the competitive art of all three types of slalom racing. The team-spirit of Ardingly pupils, the pre-season weekly training, and the dedication of parents, pupils and staff alike, all contributed to making the Ardingly Ski Team the overall winners of the ISSSC 2007. Well done to all involved!”