Member Article

Snowsport Scotland’s 1st FIS Race in Austria Proves a Huge Hit

Snowsport Scotland’s decision to host its first FIS race in Reiteralm, Austria has been declared a huge success by racers and trainers alike.

The event - which took place this month - saw the Edinburgh based governing body take the event to one of the best and most acclaimed race tracks in Austria. And at a gathering of 40 nations, 150 racers and 130 trainers, the event has been hailed as one of the best to date by those involved.

Speaking about the event, Kirsty Hope, Chief of Race said: “With nations from Mexico to Kenya and Montenegro, this has to have been one of the biggest and most exotic FIS races I’ve seen short of the World Cup or Olympics.”

And this appears to be a sentiment echoed by the skiers themselves with the event giving GB athletes the chance to compete in the first race of the session at this level.

Noel Baxter, BSS World Cup Ladies Coach commented: “The races were great and very much appreciated by coaches and athletes. Snow conditions have been tough this year meaning many cancellations yet Reiteralm’s commitment to creating a world class training environment allowed us to put on a high standard, fair race.”

And the conditions certainly seem to have played a part in the success of many of the GB athletes with Scotland’s Alex Tilley taking first place in the women’s Giant Slalom.

“The event has been a huge success for us and has given athletes a real opportunity to see what Alpine skiing is all about in an amazing environment and where the race track is kept in the very best condition, possibly anywhere in Europe,” added Jane Campbell Morrison, Chief Executive at Snowsport Scotland.

“And what is hugely positive for us is that, being able to deliver at this level and on such a worldwide stage, means we can look forward to running an event of the same calibre in Scotland.”

The event, which was sponsored by Rossignol and co-organised by Team Evolution, attracted many of the world’s highest performing racers and saw members of the British Squads competing against national teams from top skiing nations including France, Italy, the USA, Germany and Austria itself.

Snowsport Scotland is the national governing body (NGB) for snowsports throughout Scotland. The organisation aims to facilitate and encourage participation in snowsports whilst building and supporting a strong club coaching structure. They help to deliver top quality coach and instructor training programmes, which aid the development and nurturing of Scottish and Great British snowsport athletes.

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