British Schoolgirls’ Races 2010 Website report

141 girls took part in 47 teams this year.  Sophie Caldwell in Year 9, Zoe Karavasili in Year 8 and Eleanor Parker in Year 7 were skiing for Abbey Gate College and Evie Brereton and Christine Bell in Year 9 were skiing for Snowsports’ Ski Club.

Following 2 days of concentrated technique training with their Snowsports’ trainer Lucy, the girls were ready for action in the Giant Slalom course!  Undoubtedly nerves were jangling as low cloud drifted in and out of the course, making it difficult to see further than 3 gates ahead at times.  The course was rhythmic but with a couple of steep pitches, one just before a sharp right-hand bend and the other into the finish area.   All 5 girls from Abbey Gate tackled the course with determination and each succeeded in completing 2 successful runs, which earned the College team 17th place and 13th fastest British-based school team.  This was an astonishing achievement for such a young team.  The Snowsports’ team were 36th out of the 47 teams taking part which was also a sound result.  Sophie Caldwell was 4th in her age group and Zoe Karavasili was 6th and Ellie Parker was 13th.  Evie Brereton was 22nd and Christie Bell was 24th in their age group.

The weather for the Slalom was clearer but colder, although the snow was quite soft and inevitably ruts built up around the gates.  The Abbey Gate team had a good draw and Sophie benefitted from her start number of 11.  Having got stuck in a lift queue full of novice skiers who were trying to go up the race lift which was too difficult for them, Sophie arrived late in the start area furious and in no mood for compromise.  She went out of the start gate like a small exocet missile and really nailed the course.
Her second run was almost as good and she finished in 8th place, and 2nd in her age group.  Zoe finished 4th in her age group and Ellie was 9th.  This placed the College team 10th fastest British-based team and 14th fastest team in the Slalom.  The Snowsports’ team finished in 32nd place.  This was an improvement on the GS result and shows the importance of practice at Runcorn.  Christie Bell finished 21st in her age group and Evie was 24th.

In the combined and final standings the Snowsports’ team came 33rd, one place behind local (friendly) rivals, The Queens’ School!  Evie and Christie were 78th and 79th and 17th and 18th in their age group.  Ellie was 68th and 11th in her age group, Zoe was 52nd and 5th in her age group and Sophie was 17th and 3rd in her age group.  Abbey Gate College team were 14th and 10th fastest British-based team and the fastest team in their age category.  Only a French-based school were faster!  Unfortunately there is no trophy or medals for this but we should celebrate the fact that Abbey Gate College and Snowsports  Ski Club are flying the flag for skiing in the North of England in such a convincing manner.  The girls were a credit to themselves, their parents and the College both on and off the slopes and were a pleasure to ski with. The future looks bright!

A trophy and gold medal were awarded to Zoe Karavaili as fastest unregistered competitor in her age category, and Sophie Caldwell won a bronze in the Combined competition and silver medal in the Slalom.  Congratulations to both girls for a fantastic and well-deserved result.