Summer League 2010

Race report from Hemel ERSA 2010

The second ERSA race of the year was held on Sunday 13th June at the Hemel Snow Centre. Racers arrived from 6.45am onwards and the race was under way surprisingly quickly. We were all finished by 1pm which was excellent timing. 190 racers entered, over half of which were representing Hemel ski race club. It was a fantastic turnout and although we were concerned that there would be too many racers the day ran like clockwork and all the racers were very well behaved (even the Masters!). A big thank you to all the people on the slope helping with the organisation of the racers as well as the officials. I would also like to thank Jacqui who at times had to commentate over the noise of a pack of howling monkeys in the background !

There were 2 courses - blue for the girls and red for the boys set by John Reidy and Phil Brown. The fastest of two runs decided the places and Hemel did very well in almost all of the categories. The girl's course was considerably faster than the boy's (which was a tight more complex course). A few racers did end up in the netting but thankfully no-one was hurt and we are not going to mention their names (Karen!).

Hemel also proved successful in the team events. The team events at Hemel were very closely fought with a number of false starts and slips to keep the audience on their toes. Hemel's children's team was once again victorious cruising to victory in the final over SMK.

Hemel were runners up in the Open A and semi finalists in the Open B categories for older skiers. The Open A in particular was a very tense race with Norfolk just winning in the final.

All those winners who did not collect their medals please see your race manager, Cathy Bierrum.
Hemel Ski Club had 25 podium finishes.
Cordelia Stephens was 1st in Girls minis
Romana Bardetti was 2nd in Girls minis
Elenor SCRANAGE-HARRISON was 2nd in Girls BG1
Harriet Warmington was 3rd in Girls BG1
Benjamin SJOBERG was 3rd in Boys BG1
Megan DAVIES was 1st in Girls BG2
Lydia Bradley was 2nd in Girls BG2
Kathryn Bailey was 3rd in Girls BG2
Jasmin Cooper was 1st in Girls CH1
Joshua PENNING-LAMBERT was 1st in Boys CH1
Jordan Lowe was 3rd in Boys CH1
Daniel Poth was 1st in Boys CH2
Thomas Grant was 3rd in Boys CH2
Alexandra GREASBY was 2nd in JN1
Olivia GOLDSMITH was 1st in JN2
Rhiannon Ellis was 3rd in JN2
Matthew THOMPSON was 1st in JN2
Chris Aikens was 3rd in JN2
Nicky Pritchard was 3rd in MA2
John Norris was 1st in MA2
Anthony SHARP was 2nd in MA2
Judy REID was 1st in MA3
Liz WARMINGTON was 2nd in MA3
Christopher Clarke was 1st in MA3
Philip Baker was 2nd in MA3

Children's team
Daniel Poth
Robert Poth
Tom Henderson
Alex White
Morgan Rota

Open A
Matthew Thompson
James Grant
Thomas Grant
Jasmin Cooper
Kieren Norris

Open B
Chris Aikens
James Petrie
Richard Warmington
Marie Curtis
Lewis Groome

Race report for MK

The first ERSA race of the year was held on Sunday 23rd May at Milton Keynes Xscape. Over 170 racers entered, 56 of which were representing Hemel ski race club. It was good to see so many new racers turn out and some old faithfuls as well. The only problem with that many racers is the giving out of the bibs - please note for the Hemel race I will be standing in a corner with a box of bibs so please come to me!

There were 2 courses - one for the children up to BG2 and one for CH1 and above set by John Reidy. The fastest of two runs decided the places and Hemel did very well in almost all of the categories. For those who did not win better luck next time at Hemel and yes our snow is different to that at Milton Keynes! Remember you still pick up those points for overall ERSA positions even if you did not win.

Hemel also proved successful in the team events. These team events are very exciting and well worth sticking around to watch and support Hemel. They consist of a team of 5 racing in relay in a knock-out competition. The five fastest CH2 and below racers make up the Children's team - there must be one racer of the opposite sex in the team. Hemel's children's team won overall and included a tense semi final race where Hemel were well in the lead until one racer caught an edge and fell over! Congratulations to Marie Curtis who has proved to be the speediest skier at getting back into her skis and across the finishing line in the nick of time! Hemel were runners up in the Open A and Open B categories for older skiers. The Open A in particular was a very close finish. I would like to say a special thank you to Matt Aikens who stepped up to the plate and raced in Open B when his club needed him most! A plea for future races - please inform your race manager if you are leaving before the team races as it is rather difficult to put together a team when you are not sure who has already left.

Hemel Ski Club had 17 podium finishes.

Romana Bardetti was 1st in Girls minis
Elenor SCRANAGE-HARRISON was 3rd in Girls BG1
Benjamin SJOBERG was 2nd in Boys BG1
Megan DAVIES was 3rd in Girls BG2
Bethany ELLIS was 2nd in Girls CH1
Joshua PENNING-LAMBERT was 1st in Boys CH1
Tom HENDERSON was 1st in Boys CH2
ROLPH Sophie was 2nd in JN1
Alexandra GREASBY was 3rd in JN1
Olivia GOLDSMITH was 1st in JN2
Matthew THOMPSON was 1st in JN2
Robert TREBILCOCK was 3rd in JN2
Anthony SHARP was 2nd in MA2
Judy REID was 1st in MA3
Liz WARMINGTON was 2nd in MA3
Karen MORTON-SMIT was 3rd in MA3
Nicholas WARMINGTON was 2nd in MA3

Children's team:

Marie Curtis
Tom Henderson
Alex White
James Petrie
Richard Warmington

Open A:

Matthew Thompson
Chris Aikens
Robert Trebilcock
Kieren Norris
Sophie Rolph

Open B:

Judy Reid
Olivia Goldsmith
Matt Aikens
David Fenlon
John Norris