Olympic hopefuls in glory race
Talented Scottish skiers and snowboarders will have the chance to impress Great Britain selectors with their skills and attitude at Snow Facter Braehead.
The British Ski and Snowboard Cross ( GBX) Trials will return to Snow Factor Braehead on May 20 – and again later on September 9, giving snow sports enthusiasts the opportunity to catch the eye as a future winter Olympian.
If successful at the trials, athletes will be invited to join the British Home Nations Academy, British National Academy or British National teams for the 2018/19 season.
Last year, as a result of their performance in the trials, 12-yearold Thomas Dunn and 15-year-old Alex Rooney, secured places in the National Academy squad.
First introduced at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, the elimination format of ski cross and boardercross sees up to six competitors timed as they race head-to-head down a steep course comprised of jumps, huge berms and drop-offs.
With no margin for error and any physical contact resulting in disqualification, falls are frequent and races won by 100ths of a second.
Snow Factor, one of Scotland’s six snow-sport resorts and Scotland’s only indoor real snow facility, is the only Scottish venue and just one of five UK-wide facilities to be selected to host the GBX National Trials by British Ski and Snowboard (BSS), Snowsport Scotland, Snowsport Wales and Snowsport England.
The day after the first trial, on May 21, Snow Factor will also host a ski and snowboard cross competition, giving competitors a further opportunity to test their mettle in the fast and furious discipline.
Thomas Dunn, who combines his snowboard cross training as part of Snow Factor Racing with his studies, highlighted the benefit of the trials.
Dunn said: “As a young snowboarder you always want to push yourself and test your skills against other riders.
“The GBX Trials is a brilliant event format to do both – and hopefully grab a coveted place on the national programme.”
The return of the event to Braehead has been met with excitement by slope manager, Andrew Binnie.
He said: “Snow Factor is proud to again be invited to host two of six selection days for the British GBX trials.
“As highlighted by the success of Thomas Dunn and Alex Rooney last year, Scotland has many talented young skiers and snowboarders.
“In addition to the mountains, they benefit from our year-round snow conditions to practice for opportunities like the GBX Trials and our competition the following day.”