Rochdale skiing sensation Daisi Daniels wrapped up a brilliant hat-trick of victories at the English Alpine Championships, taking her third win of the week on Wednesday in the under-14 girls Super G race.
The English Alpine Championships, organised by national governing body Snowsport England, help provide an early glimpse of the stars of tomorrow.
And with 400 of the country’s best alpine skiers descending upon the Italian resort this week for the 20th running of the event, Daniels had her work cut out for her.
But the 13-year-old is proving she is one of the ones to watch, pipping Siena Horton to the English national Super G crown by just four hundredths of a second on the fearsome Stelvio piste in Bormio.
And having already clinched victories in the English national Giant Slalom and the first Super G race earlier in the week, Daniels admits it has been one of her best English Alpine Championships to date.
“I thought my run was going okay until the hidden roller,” she said. “I went flying off it and was on one leg for quite a while. I don’t know how I managed to save it but I did and then just hoped for the best.
“I am very happy I took the victory but only just. It was a lot tighter than yesterday’s Super G.
“In the start gate my goggles fogged up so I was worrying a bit they might mess up my run. But actually they were fine when I got going.
“Looking ahead to the rest of the week, I am going to give the slalom my best, but I am definitely better at the speed events. I am trying to improve my slalom, it is something I am working on in training.
“I am very happy with my Championships so far. I am loving them. I love everything about the Championships; seeing my friends, good snow and the courses.
“I get so much adrenalin from these races, I thrive on that.”
The English Alpine Championships are an important step for any young skier, with British Olympians Chemmy Alcott and Dave Ryding both having competed at the competition.
Alcott, now retired from racing and coaching her own team, CDC Performance, is taking in the action all week from the sidelines, and she believes she has already seen several stars in the making.
She said: “Being here still brings back so many familiar feelings of wanting to race for me. Obviously I was English so these Champs were always such a big deal to me, and it’s great to come back in a different role.
“I think I’d still be racing if it wasn’t for my leg injury so I try to live vicariously through all of these kids now!
“The competition at this English Champs has been absolutely unreal so far. I’ve never seen such great skiing from British athletes of all ages, and I thank God I’m not racing in this age.
“The level is so high that these guys are all having to push themselves. It’s not just about finishing anymore and pushing the boundaries will reap the rewards.
“That’s what British skiing is about now and it is fantastic to see us trying to be the best.”
The English Alpine Championships, organised by Snowsport England, are run every year in the Italian resort of Bormio. Follow the action via www.englishalpinechamps.org.uk or @SnowsportEng on Twitter.
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Image courtesy of Racer Ready, with thanks.
