Event News

The British Land Junior National Ski Championships in Méribel are now into their second week and have seen stand-out performances in the slalom events from Douglas Crawford and Louise Thomas.

Having enjoyed success at last week's senior events, both Crawford and Thomas maintained their form for this week's junior competitions.

The first run of the Men's Junior Slalom proved especially challenging. 38 competitors from a field of 116 men failed to complete the course - eight of whom were amongst the first fifteen racers down the course.

Dougie Crawford

Crawford, who last week shared the overall British Senior Combined title with Noel Baxter, held his nerve to finish 5.02 seconds from fellow Scot Craig McFie and take 1st place.

"It was not my best skiing today but it was a case of skiing to win a title. It was not especially pretty or fast but did the job," said Crawford.

"I have no trouble at all getting psyched up to race here if there is something at stake. It is a difficult hill to race slalom on. I knew I just had to get down it."

Louise Thomas (18, Guildford) was quickest in the girl's Junior Slalom and won by 1.72 seconds from 15 year old Jayme Baggio, who had previously placed first in the Junior 1.

This has been Thomas' first full-time season racing and training after leaving school last year. She is based from Val d'Isere and has regularly competed in FIS races this season. Thomas still hopes to make selection to the British Land Alpine Ski Team for next year.

"At the moment I have not yet reached the selection criteria, but that is certainly my aim. I may have another year skiing independently," said Thomas. "It is good for me to be here and beat girls who are on the British Team just now, especially just to give me confidence.

Thomas' confidence will undoubtedly be boosted by her 1st place finish in yesterday's Giant Slalom and today's impressive victory in the Super G .

With 2 days of competition remaining, Thomas' win in the Super G - her third title in as many days - places her as the runaway leader in the persuit of the overall British Junior combined title.

For updates on the British Land National Ski Championships visit www.snowsportsgb.com