The 2001 British Land National Ski Championships

A prolonged spell of uncharacteristically warm Alpine weather has provoked a string of event cancellations, including yesterday's FIS World Cup Slaloms in Les Arcs and Maribor.

Regrettably, The 2001 British Land National Ski Championships, scheduled to take place in Saalbach-Hinterglemm next week (13 - 19 January), are the latest casualty of the unseasonal temperatures and resulting poor snow conditions.

After much consideration, the British Ski & Snowboard Federation, in consultation with their longterm championship sponsor, The British Land Company PLC, last night reached the difficult decision to postpone their premier Alpine event. It is our intention to reschedule the event for later in the season.

Details of date and venue will be confirmed within the next fortnight. We do apologise for any inconvenience - regrettably weather conditions remain beyond our control!

We suggest that all existing entry forms and fees are retained until a new date is announced. Thereafter, if you are unable to attend the rescheduled event, we will consider refunding entry fees, on request.

As previously indicated in the championship brochure, we regret we are unable to compensate for any personal travel expenses incurred.

Plans for the British Land Junior and Children Championships in Pitztal from 8 - 13th April remain unchanged and entry details will be available shortly.

We will be in touch again regarding revised dated by 20th January. Meanwhile, please think snowy thoughts.

Kind regards Fiona McNeilly Operations Director
For further information, please contact Fiona McNeilly or Jen Kirkwood on 0131 445 7676.

Baxter and Moulder-Brown Lifted by Italian Crowd FIS World Cup Men's Slalom - Sestrieres, ITA.

On the floodlit slalom pistes of Sestriere, Alain Baxter (26, Aviemore) and Johnny Moulder-Brown (22, Chelsea) both recorded career best top 20 results in the men's World Cup Slalom.

From a start of 50, Alain Baxter lay a phenomenal 10th after the first run, just 1.33 sec behind the half way leader, Sebastien Amiez of France. Encouraged by news of his team mate's performance Moulder-Brown, starting in his first ever World Cup, skied to 22nd position. Moulder-Brown was first of the Brits to make his 2nd run charge. With nothing to lose, Moulder-Brown completed his run in a time of 56.93 and was assured of his first World Cup points. He watched on as advantages were lost as the world's best struggled to negotiate the icy surface and the difficult transitions in the terrain. A mistake on the top section cost him time, but his aggregate was enough to place him 13th - a further step up from his 21st in Park City and a new British best in a men's technical discipline. Moulder-Brown finished in 17th place.

Both men were thrilled with their results and convinced that there is more to come. " I belong competing at this level.. The day I string two good runs together, I know I will beat any of these guys". British Land Alpine Ski Team Head Coach, Christian Schwaiger, echoed their thoughts, stating "I am not surprised at these results. They have been skiing well in training and I have not seen any guys on the circuit who are invincible". Both skiers look forward to their next World Cup outing in Maddona di Campiglio.

Snowboarder, Lesley McKenna maintained top 10 form, finishing 7th in the World Cup half-pipe in Whistler (CAN). The event was won by Stirie Kjeidess of Norway, the victor of the opening World Cup half pipe event in Tignes. Fellow Brit, Melanie Leando finished 17th. Both girls need to maintain their current top 20 standings to secure an Olympic quota for Team GB in Salt Lake City 2002.

World Cup downhiller, Finlay Mickel (23, Edinburgh) exploited his extended stay in France, to compete in a FIS Giant Slalom. Lying 8th after the 1st run, Finlay stormed to 2nd run victory and 2nd place overall in a time of 2'11.30. The race was won by Mathias Briker of Switzerland in a time of 2'11.10.For further information, please contact Fiona McNeilly or Jen Kirkwood on 0131 445 7676 or 07711 311990.
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European Success as World Cup Weekend Approaches

Alain Baxter,26, (Aviemore), Britain's leading menıs slalom skier continued to ski to top form last weekend, in Levi (Finland), at the Europa opener. Full of confidence after his recent career-best 21st in the Park City World Cup, Baxter finished 9th overall- a result which consolidates his bid for Olympic selection. Following an accomplished first run, a powerful second run charge produced the 3rd fastest time, resulting in a total time of 1:47.53.

The winner was Austrian, Florian Seer(1:45.40), the 1995 World Junior Champion. Baxter's excellent result put him ahead of the reigning Olympic medal winner Mario Reiter (Austria).

Johnny Moulder-Brown, 22, (London) is additional competition for his team-mate. A high start number did not prevent Moulder-Brown from leaping up the rankings to finish 21st. Such a strong showing in a quality field will boost Johnnyıs morale as he approaches his world Cup debut on Monday (11th Dec).

Over in Bardonnechia (Italy), Britainıs, Emma Carrick-Anderson, 25, (Edinburgh) and Chemmy Alcott,18, (Twickenham) had success in the first Womenıs European Cup. Carrick-Anderson, who last year broke into the Worldıs Top 40, skied into 12th place in a time of 1:36.11, beating Australiaıs Zali Steggall, the current World Slalom Champion. Alcott, consolidating her results from the summer months, finished 21st (1:37.33). The race went to form,won by New Zealander, Claudia Riegler among a field which consisted no less than 6 of the Top 30 skiers.

The British Land Alpine Team are looking ahead to a big World Cup weekend. Finlay Mickel,23, (Edinburgh) will tackle the world-famous Val DıIsere Downhill course. Chemmy Alcott will compete in the Sestriere Giant Slalom WC.

Sestriere also plays host to two slaloms, on the piste where Emma secured a World Championships 11th. Johnny Moulder-Brown make his debut at World Cup as he competes against Alain Baxter in Sestriere. World Cup Mogulists Sam Temple and Simon Bates face the mogul pistes of Tignes, while Melanie Leando and Lesley McKenna continue their Halfpipe assault in Whistler. For further information please contact: Fiona McNeilly or Jen Kirkwood British Ski & Snowboard Federation Tel 0131 445 7676
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Monty's Marshall is Top Banana

British Alpine Masters Racer, Jim Woolgar (born 1916 England, now based in Bavaria) was, this week, presented with The Sun Fit Banana best of British Award for Great Sporting Achievement - Verterans category.

Jim attended the award ceremony on Tuesday (17 Oct) at Londonıs Park Lane Hotel with colleagues from the British Masters squad. He was presented with the £500 prize in recognition of his staggering achievements on the world masters circuit. The panel of judges comprising Rachael Heyhoe Flint, Ian Botham, Eddie Edwards, Martin Johnson, Steve Cram, Duncan Goodhew and Sir Henry Cooper, singled Woolgar out from a shortlist of 5 talented sporting veterans.

A remarkable character, Jim enjoyed a long service career, including a spell in the service of Field Marshall Montgomery, and has been decorated with the Military Medal, the British Empire Medal and the Coronation Medal. The Meritous Service Medal eluded him due to an unfortunate incident, when caught out of bounds and improperly dressed (naked!).

Now 84 years old, Jim spends his summers windsurfing off the German coast and his winters competing on the International Masterıs Ski Circuit. Travel and accommodation arrangements are simple when you have your own mobile home in the shape of a VW camper. Jim has won numerous gold medals on this race circuit and was World Maters Champion in his age category in 1994, 1998 and 1999. Jim has no plans to retire! For further information please contact Fiona McLean on 0131 445 7676 or mobile 07711 311990.

Summer Freestyle Alive and Kicking

Britain's best mogulists have spent the summer in Australia, where they have enjoyed optimum training and some tough competition.

The latest events took place in Mt Buller last weekend (26/8/00) and featured both dual and single mogul events.

British Team member Simon Bates (23, Edinburgh) completed a personal best in singles finishing sixth with 23.11 points hard on the heels of British No. 1 Sam Temple (28, Oxford) in fifth place scoring 24.62. The impressive field had attracted 8 regular World Cup competitors, including the eventual winner (26.62), Adrian Costa, the home favourite and World No 9.

US based Joanne Bromfield (17, Salt Lake City) continues to show youthful promise, finishing 9th overall and winning both the single and dual junior events convincingly.

Meanwhile, back in the Northern Hemisphere - or Sheffield to be more precise - the Complete-Skier, in conjunction with the ESC and Sheffield Ski Village, will organise "THE BIG SPLASH" a chance for beginners and enthusiasts, on skis and boards, to try our the freestyle water ramp, funded by the Foundation for Sport and the Arts. This event will take place on Sunday 8th October.

Finally, Freestyle's top international judges have been tempted to Edinburgh for the annual FIS Freestyle Judges Seminar, which will take place from 18th - 22nd October and will be based around Midlothian Ski Centre and the BSSF offices. Kay Bates, chairman of the Freestyle committee said, " It is very exciting to be able to bring these top Olympic level judges to Scotland. Midlothian Ski Centre may not have the snow to host major competitions, however, it is a place where many of our leading athletes developed their enthusiasm for snowsports."

For further information please contact Fiona McLean on 0131 445 7676.

Racing Return Tops A Level Results

BSSF Press Release No 8