SKIING - MEMBERS of the Junior Ski Race team, based at Avon Ski in Churchill, have just returned from a week of race training and competition in Borovets, Bulgaria.

MEMBERS of the Junior Ski Race team, based at Avon Ski in Churchill, have just returned from a week of race training and competition in Borovets, Bulgaria.In what was a unique experience, the junior racers, some of whom had never skied on snow before, spent five days race training, and two days competing in the FIS Junior races.The competitors came from Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, Croatia, Macedonia, Cyprus and Lebanon, and GB, and there were around 120 children in each competition.In the Junior Cup (ages 4-10) Avon achieved a fifth in the 7-8 age group, Emma Penhale; a sixth in the same age group, Lauren Black; and a ninth in the wrong age group, as he should have been in a lower age group, for Callum Black. The race was run over 400m and 20 gates.In the FIS Junior Competition Slalom, ages 10-15, Avon ran three racers, Emma Penhale, racing above her age, in 1.11; Ben Rogers in 1.36; and Jess Rogers in 1.38. Rebecca Penman and Georgina Cooper were unfortunately unable to run after having trained hard all week.This race was much longer and really tested the racers, 43 gates and some 800m long. The coaches were Fraser Black and Peter Kennel.Having established a fantastic rapport with the hosting club, Avon are hoping to return next year with a larger team, and also hope to have some of the Bulgarian children coming to the Weston area on a cultural exchange programme.Thanks to all the parents who helped, for what was a wonderful experience for all.