Sunday 21st June 2009 saw a good turnout for the fourth ERSA league race of the 2009 season hosted by the Vikings at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich.

Many thanks to the advance party who arrived early on Sunday morning and set up a good base camp so as to ensure the full Hemel contingent – racers, parents, siblings, supporters, ski technicians and chefs! - were able to sit together and support the Hemel racers. It was a good day enjoyed by all who attended, with club spirit riding high! Despite it trying hard with many a dark cloud the rain managed to stay away and some sunshine was enjoyed.

The club was represented by the usual suspects and some new faces too- with 38 racers competing across most age categories – through a course set by Craig Wright, assisted by John Reidy.

Hemel had a good day – winning 13 medals in total:

Morgan Rota was the fastest female skier from the club finishing in a combined time of 28.96 seconds, 9th fastest female overall on the day. This result gave Morgan 1st place in CH1, with Anna Henderson in 2nd place, 0.36 seconds behind Morgan.

Georgia Keys continued her run of success in the BG1 category, securing her fourth 1st place of the season, and India Morrell was awarded 3rd in BG1. Romana Bardetti was 1st in the Mini’s category, Laura Goldsmith 2nd in J2 and Sophie Rolph 3rd in CH2.

James Grant had a great day – maintaining his crown as fastest male skier from the club – and 5th fastest male overall finishing in a time of 24.18 seconds. This result meant James was 1st in J1. Hemel skiers dominated CH1 with Joshua Penning-Lambert skiing fantastically to win 1st place, Harry Boty only 0 .10 seconds behind him in 2nd place and Richard Warmington in 3rd place. Other male medal winners were William Newell 2nd in BG1 and Thomas Grant 3rd in CH2.

The next race in the ERSA league is hosted by Norfolk Ski Club on Sunday 12th July. The invite has been posted on the ERSA website so please let Amanda Rolph, Race Manager, know asap if you are competing at this race.

Also to avoid any disappointment please remember to let the race manager, Amanda Rolph, know at the start of the morning’s racing if you intend to stay for the afternoon dual slalom events. This is because team selections – whether club teams, open or fun races - are made based on the times from the first 2 runs of the morning and submitted before the third run starts.