A student from Harrogate Grammar School has excelled at the National Schools Indoor Ski Open Championships by coming second in the U18 Ladies Slalom after only 2 years of skiing.
Alex Green, a year 12 student in The Sixth Form at Harrogate Grammar School, first went skiing two years ago, whilst there she witnessed race training and was inspired, deciding that is what she wanted to do. Alex worked really hard and was soon invited to join the race training sessions with Lions Ski Club, since then Alex has had the opportunity to train abroad and also trains with some of the best athletes at Manchester race training as well as now training three times a week.
On the day of the competition, it was a close call for Alex as she had an examination at Harrogate Grammar School which resulted in her missing the first race, but arrived just in time for race 2 and 3. This was Alex’s first competitive race since receiving a ski an injury in January, first place went to a member of the British ski team whilst Alex received second place which she was thrilled with, this has resulted in Alex being offered a place in the National Schools Squad representing Harrogate Grammar School, an amazing achievement.
Alex says of her strategy:
Is to remember the course in my head to achieve a smooth pattern and technique when skiing down. In addition, to avoid getting nervous I warm myself up when I’m at the top of the slope to get my blood pumping before my run, I use my nerves as adrenaline to get down and it really helps. As well as physical training I also train myself to have a positive mental attitude and to be determined to do well.
Despite a late start to racing, Alex also qualified in August 2017 at the indoor British Indoor Championships at Chill Factore Manchester where she achieved a top 5 on the podium.
The future is all about skiing for Alex, she hopes to take her BASI, ski teaching qualification, this summer as well as train more outdoors which will help her hopefully get through to the English ski championships next year, ultimately Alex’s dream is to compete in the World Championships and/or the Olympics,.
Alex stands by her ethos, “I can accept failure but I can’t accept not trying, to take home a medal with me gives me confidence that I’ve tried and that the work I’ve put in has paid off”.
