Dominic Daley reports

From Minis to CH1
Dominic Daley CH1 HEM

My skiing started at Welwyn Garden City when I was three when I tried the kindergarten course before we went on a family holiday to Val d’isere. It was at Val d’isere that I first got on snow and tried ESF food! Continuing to ski once a year at various French ski resorts I thought I was getting better but realised I forgot it all when I returned each year. I asked my dad if I could get some practice in before we went skiing so went to Welwyn Garden City slope were I joined the Junior Ski Club. I looked at the kids in the Race Club and wanted to get in that club. I went every Saturday and spent month after month in group 4. I knew that if I got into group 5 I could join the race club. Well after a year I got into the race club to find that I was a “mini” and had to train on a Friday night with lots of really good skiers. I learnt to go through the gates ooouch, they hurt. I look at the new kids coming into the club and see how I used to ski as a mini, on the backs of my skies with a “little snow plough” holding on for dear life. My first race as a mini was an Easter Region Ski Association race at WGC, my then home club . I can’t remember exactly where I came but I think it was seventh or eighth. What I do remember was the nerves I had as I got to the start wand. I looked down the slope and was even more nervous. I went through the wand and that was it. The next thing I knew was I was through the finish. I can’t remember how I got through the course but I did and no one flagged me! As I continued training for the summer league I realised how slow I was. The timing was the only way I really had to measure my progress although my trainers told me I was improving. I know it sounds strange but I had to slow down to speed up. So after a year in minis I moved into CH1 and moved to Hemel Ski Race Club as I loved the snow. Hemel is a very exciting club because I get to train with children in the national squad. I also realised that even the best racers wipe out. Get one good run in always goes through my mind. I started travelling around the country with my Dad. I have raced in Club Nationals, Grand Prix and Indoor Leagues. My first national race was at Milton Keynes. Again all I remember was how high the start was. It was at least twice maybe three times my height. When I got on the ramp I realised how steep it was. I held on for the first gate and then that was it, racing on snow. Racing at national level makes you realise how many good skiers race in the UK. My skiing has got better and better with training but racing nationally the racers are better (and bigger as I am one of the smallest children racing) so it gets harder but it is great fun. I have made friends all around the country. So now I start alpine racing I guess it will get even harder. This weekend I watched Miller and Cuche skiing at Kitzbuhel in the downhill race and dreamed about being in the start gate and remembering the click of the poles before you start……