February Newsletter
Nat & Lottie represent the GB Children's Team in Andorra
Nat Stringer and Lottie Williams represented the British Children's Ski Team at the Trofeu Borrufa in Andorra along with their Excel coach Jo Morrison, following their phenomenal results at the Ambition Champs, Nations Cup and Aurora Cup.
This is the second year Lottie (U14) has achieved GBCT selection, whilst this is Nat's first selection before he moves up into FIS. We are chuffed for both of them! It's only been 1/4 of his life that Nat has been working to achieve this!
Jo Morrison has been fundamental in their development and one of their coaches since they were tiny minis. He attends Andorra as a GB Children's Team coach for the first time.
Unfortunately heavy snowfall meant the Super G races were cancelled - one of Nat and Lottie's favourite ski racing disciplines. Despite this they had a great week and plenty of experience gained for the future.
Louisa crowned Scottish Slalom Champion!
The FIS team has a successful week in Reiteralm with Louisa McIntosh being crowned Scottish Slalom Champion! Her name will be added to a historic trophy alongside skiers including Charlie Guest!
Martha Newell also finished 3rd Brit in the Scottish Champs Giant Slalom. EK, Georgia and Jake all scored a PBs in February!
The whole team followed Louisa's lead in watching Heated Rivalry. They had plenty of family meals out, laughs and trained hard.
The U14/16 team tour Eastern Europe!
Lecki Ski & Gorski Cup in Serbia
Our U14/16 athletes headed off on a road trip to compete in some International FIS Children's ski races, starting in Kopanoik in Serbia.
Highlights included snow-covered trees that resembled Whoville, a wolf sighting, chicken nuggets for breakfast (no complaints from the athletes!), cash is still KING, celebrating Ted's birthday with a 14-hour drive (maybe not so much of a highlight for him!), and a few lucky prize wins - Fischer skis for some and a holdall for Nat. The stay was finished off with a stop at a traditional hog roast hut!
Podiums from Excel athletes:
Lecki Ski Cup
- Slalom: Lottie 1st, Nat 3rd
Gorski Cup
- Slalom: Ted 3rd
- Giant Slalom: Lottie 2nd, Nat 2nd
Sarajevo, Bosnia
Next the team headed to Bosnia, the home of the 1984 Winter Olympic Games. This time it was coach Jo's birthday to celebrate! For only 20 euros Nat filled the entire suitcase he won from Serbia with sweets! The ski race organising committee here treated the athletes like mini World Cup ski racers! They experienced an opening parade, sponsored by bottomless Powerade, ate delicious food, had a huge screen with live timing, fabulous commentary and music blaring all day!
Podiums from Excel athletes:
FIS Cup Deject za mir u Svijetu
- Super G: Lottie 1st, Nat 3rd
- Giant Slalom: Ted 3rd
- Slalom: Lottie 3rd
Throughout their tour, we worked with Ambition Racing. The coaches noted how well the athletes got on together, cheering for each other, and giving course reports. Thank you to Ambition for collaborating with us!
Interested in joining our Winter Programme?
Send us an email or read more about our camps, full-time and core programmes.