UK Snowboard Cross Championships back with a bang
The British Indoor Ski and Snowboard Cross Championships returned to Chill Factore, Manchester for the first time since 2013 last weekend, producing high quality racing from both the skiers and snowboarders on an expertly constructed course.
After a two-year break, the British Indoor Cross Champs was back by popular demand, with a mix of GB and English squad athletes competing against rising ski and snowboard cross talents.
It tightly contested races, the riders battled it out for the honours on a course with a great blend of alpine and freestyle elements, suitable for both skiers and snowboarders.
In the women’s snowboard competition, Gillian Finnerty took her second title of the year. After being crowned the English Indoor Snowboard Cross Champion earlier this summer, she shook off close competition to take the British title.
In the men’s event, it was Paul Moralee who took the title, just a few weeks after taking 2nd in the English Indoor Champs. He took the title after battling it out in the final against Bradley Gaulter. Paul will now go on to train with the GB Snowboard Cross team from October.
England Ski Cross Squad athlete Isobel Brown was crowned the British Indoor Ski Cross champion after reigning supreme at the Chill Factore in the women’s competition.
In the men’s Ski Cross event, it was Tom Rascagneres, who also competes in Alpine Racing and Moguls, who took top spot and claimed the title of British Indoor Ski Cross Champion.
The Championships provides a great opportunity to try competitive ski or snowboard cross in England, and whilst the speeds aren’t quite as high and the jumps aren’t as big as racing in the mountains, the head to head nature of the event means that the tactical battles are just as intense.
If you are interested in getting into Ski or Snowboard Cross, more information can be found on the Snowsport England website www.snowsportengland.org.uk. Or to get into snowsports visitwww.goskigoboard.org.uk to find your nearest TRY taster session.