Above the NUSSC First Team BUDS Champions. |
NUSSC have competed in a further two rounds of KINGS since my last post, where the mixed First Team (myself and 4 boys) has
remained unbeaten and the girls team (myself and 3 other girls) have seen
progressive improvement finishing 2nd in the December competition.
Unfortunately I will be missing the next KINGS races as I am travelling out to
compete in the English Ski Championships in Bormio on February 16th.
My very fat swollen ankle a couple of days after the fall |
During Christmas I found out I have been
selected for the ‘BUSC Elite Athlete Squad A-Team’ giving me the chance to be
selected to represent England at the World University Champs. However on
December 23rd I sustained an ankle injury whilst out running. I
sprained my anterior talofibular ligament and generally feel pain throughout
with reoccurring swelling every time I exercise. Liz at Hallam Physiotherapy in
Sheffield initially treated me.
Since returning back to University I received physio at Newcastle Sports Injury Clinic by Laura; these sessions were paid for through the Universities Elite Athlete Program
which I am very grateful for. Needless
to say this injury has hindered my performance and fitness since, despite
taking measures to speed recovery.
Above and Below are photos from the Chamonix night Slalom taken by one of the competitors fathers! His photos can be viewed at www.damia.eu |
A week after my ankle sprain I travelled
out to France with the intention to race in 3 slaloms. The two slaloms at Le
Corbier were cancelled due to FIS failing to homologate the new race piste in
time! This was probably for the best as just getting my ski boot on was too
painful. Having travelled the distance I still raced in the FIS Chamonix Night
Slalom; my performance was under par but I still finished top 30 and 4th
GBR. In the photos to the left it is evident I was in quite a bit of pain due to my hilarious facial expressions; it can also be seen that my left ski (left ankle injured) is skidding slightly from the spray of snow.
Last Wednesday was the BUISC (British
University Indoor Ski Championships) Northern Qualifying Round. After the first
run I was in second place, just 0.10 of a second behind race leader Jenny
Thomas from SKUM (Manchester Uni). However following the second run I finished
in 3rd place due to a brilliant performance from Leeds University Skier Abby Clifford whose combined time from run 1 & 2 gave her the
overall title. The top 12 girls qualified for the BUISC Final in March –where I
hope to finish in a podium position again. The NUSSC First Team finished second
in the dual slalom thus securing a place in the BUISC Final also – hopefully we
can raise the bar and beat Northumbria in the Final!!