Olivia Parker

Above the NUSSC First Team BUDS Champions.

Having been a long time since my last blog post I have a lot to write about. Firstly back in November on the 9^th and 10^th I competed at BUDS (British University Dry Slope Ski Championships). In the Slalom I finished 6^th, this was slightly disappointing but sets a good challenge for next year. The following day I came 4^th in the GS, only just missing the podium, but I am very happy with this result as I surpassed my own expectations. In the Team Dual Slalom race that afternoon the NUSSC (Newcastle University Ski and Snowboard Club) First Team, consisting of myself and four boys, won; thus being crowned the British Dry-Slope Dual Slalom Champions 2012. I decided to celebrate this success rather extravagantly that night at the BUDS Ball.

  

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 2^nd 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 16^th.

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 23^rd 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 4^th 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 3^rd 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!!