Mendip Snowsports Centre in Churchill hosted its first-ever South West Snowsports Association Winter League race.

WITH the Winter Olympics on the horizon, Avon Ski Club hosted the first-ever South West Snowsports Association Winter League race, at the Mendip Snowsports Centre in Churchill.

Teams were entered by Plymouth, Torquay, Exeter, Western Counties (Gloucester) Thurski and the home club Avon.

The event was unique for the South West in that it did not start until 4pm and finished at 10pm, which seemed to suit the competitors and the parents of the younger ones.

The event saw all competitors to have six timed runs down the challenging course, with the best two times added together to form the score.

Avon Ski Club volunteers ran the event, under the watchful eye of the chief of race Fraser Black, with able assistance from Plymouth Ski Club and the staff from Mendip keeping the cafe/bar running efficiently and producing great food.

The race was split into age categories, the Under-10s being won by Callum Black from Avon, the Under-12s by Oli Mathew (Exeter/Avon), the Under-14s was won by Louis Cawthorne (Torquay), Under-16s: Tom Norton (Torquay) and the open section was won by Will Cook (Exeter).

Fastest time of the day over all the age groups was Norton with a combined time of 32.59 seconds, second was Louis Cawthorne on 32.91, third and also the fastest female was Madeline Brown from Avon with a combined time of 33.84.

One of the rising stars of South West skiing, 11-year-old Oliver Mathew, posted a combined time through full poles of 33.54, which would have seen him third overall, but Under-12s are excluded from the full poles result.

The league moves to Exeter where the format will be different, a dual team slalom. There are a lot of races during the year, and the rationale for the Winter Race League is to offer different types of events over the four slopes taking part.

Many thanks go to starter Phil, gate judges Ed and James, finish marshalls Kris and Helen, timekeepers Trevor and Fraser, compere Georgina and the admin team of Tina and Caragh.

Thanks also go to Phil and his staff at Mendip Snowsports Centre for their support and helping with the smooth running of the event.

Avon Ski Club train at Mendip on a Tuesday evening and from January 28 will be operating a satellite club alongside the main training for anyone that would like an introduction to racing.

It is open to all ages - just turn up on the day or call Fraser on 07721 594676.