We've just received the latest press release from Team Clissold - some great results for our sponsored skier Sam:
Sam Clissold, Chalet Direct’s sponsored alpine ski racer, has made a great start to his first season as a Junior International racer winning a double title at the at the BARSC Championships National Junior Races in Champoluc, Italy, on January 3 and 4, 2011.
Fifteen year old Sam won Best British skier in his age group in both Giant Slalom and Slalom; and was actually the second fastest British skier overall in GS, despite competing against skiers up to four years his senior.
The BARSC Championships attracted entries from seven different nations and in the final line up Sam was second in slalom and sixth in giant slalom. He scored under 100 FIS (Federation International de Ski) points in each discipline, a considerable achievement for a first year racer, and particularly impressive as Sam suffered a minor injury while training in New Zealand in July so missed out on early season race opportunities.
While unable to compete, Sam used the summer to work on his technique and fitness directed by Olympian Sean Langmuir. Immediately, prior to Champoluc, Sam went to Colorado with the British Alpine Development Team, where he managed strong finishes in four out of six races, including two SuperG. He is currently training in St Johann, Austria, with Paul Telling’s Team Evolution, and waiting eagerly to learn if he is on the short list for the European Youth Olympic World Festival in which will take place in Liberec Czech in February.
Sam says: ‘It is real challenge to move from Children’s racing to the International circuit and I have worked really hard over the past months. I am really pleased with my results to date and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.’
