British Alpine Children's Championships — Santa Caterina di Valfurva, Italy
April brought the biggest race week of the children's season as the team headed to Santa Caterina di Valfurva for the British Alpine Children's Championships. What a week it turned out to be!
For the minis it was a week of historic firsts — the very first ever British Champs Super G for U10/12s! Even though some of them were quite scared before the start, they threw themselves into it and had so much fun. How hardcore are they?! 💯 For many it was also their first time on the British Champs start list, and for Kester his first time as an inlier. We are so proud of every single one of them!
Notable performances across the U10-U16 Team include:
Leah McKennel & Vinnie Huser — 🥇🥇 U12 British Giant Slalom Champions
Vincent — 🥈 U12 Super G, 🥈 U12 British Slalom
Nat Stringer — 🥈 U16 British Champs Super G
Lottie Williams — 🥉 U14 British Champs Super G. She has truly become a speed demon this season — the results have been sensational!
Sonny — 3rd U12 British Slalom, 1st YOB in Super G. Coach Mike called his slalom run "the sickest run I've ever seen him ski" — pure mental resilience.
Annis — 4th U12 Super G (1st YOB)
Thank You, Graham! 🙏
After six incredible years, our longest-standing coach Graham Dickson is leaving Excel Race Academy. Graham joined us in the summer of 2020 — legend has it Rob was so astounded by his ability to sink pints and chat nonsense non-stop during his interview in Bar Skianta that he was immediately offered the job as U14/16 coach. He was later promoted to Head FIS Coach, and the rest is history!
Over six years Graham has helped athletes win national titles, achieved GB Children's Team selections, cheered up anyone on a down day, and been the undisputed centre of laughs at the dinner table. He is heading back home to Glasgow to follow his golfing dreams. We will truly miss him and hope he still has a few weeks free to blast about the mountains with us in the future!
Thank you for 6 years of fun, kindness and laughs, G. 🏆🇬🇧
Our new FIS coach will be announced soon — watch this space!
UK Indoor Sessions — Chill Factore, Manchester 🎿
The season may be over but the skiing doesn't have to stop! We are running Sunday evening indoor ski race training sessions at Chill Factore in Manchester this summer — perfect for staying sharp and hitting the ground running in autumn.
Three-hour sessions include slalom courses, technical drills, head-to-heads, timed runs and video analysis. Open to all abilities from U8 to Masters level. Book your place here.
- 🗓 Sunday 12th July — 17:30 to 20:30 — £90
- 🗓 Sunday 2nd August — 17:30 to 20:30 — £90
Spaces are limited — don't miss out!
What a month! From historic firsts for the minis to national championship medals across the board — and a fond farewell to a much-loved member of the Excel family. We head into the off-season incredibly proud of everyone who represented this programme this winter. Roll on next season! 🎿