Perthshire slope stars bring home silverware Tignes champions
Perthshire’s skiing stars did the region proud as they returned back to Scottish shores with silverware aplenty from the Delancey British National Alpine Ski Championships.
With more than 300 of Britain’s finest skiers descending on the French Alps resort of Tignes, St Martins’ Charlie Guest kick-started her campaign in stunning fashion.
Despite having spent two months off the slopes with a broken hand, she clinched victory in the women’s Slalom, crossing the line in a combined time of 1:22.55 to retain her title.
The 23-year-old added another medal to her collection the following day with bronze in the Giant Slalom, to join World Cup star Alex Tilley and Cara Brown on the podium.
In what was her first Giant Slalom in two years, Guest was presented with her medal by Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.
“I’m so happy, it came as a big surprise,” she said. “I’ve trained it about 10 days over the last 24 months, so I can’t believe it.
“Alex is a world-class skier so to be up there with her shows I’ve still got something in me.
“This week has been a massive confidence boost. The women’s slalom was amazing and it has given me a boost to go into every race from now on and really give it my everything.
“I came here on the back of two months of injury so I promised myself that as long as I came in and I skied to my ability, I’d take whatever came, so I’m absolutely delighted.
Joining Guest among the medallists was Strathallan student Scott Buchan, who left Tignes with four medals.
Having secured silver in the Under-18 Super G on Monday, the 17-year-old added a medal of the same colour in the Downhill two days later.
He wasn’t prepared to settle for second place and bagged his first title of the week in the Under-18 Giant Slalom, before moving on to win the Slalom.
And with more success than he ever could have imagined, Buchan is now beginning to question where his future lies.
“I haven’t done that much training this year because of school. I’ve maybe done three weeks at Christmas, and that was the last time I was on skis before this week, “he said.
“It’s been a really good week, I’ve really enjoyed it. I think a lot of that is down to the weather because it helps a lot. I’ve been happy with all my performances.”
“I am definitely having second thoughts about whether I to go to university or do a full season of skiing next year.
“My coaches are saying why not give skiing full time for a year a go, and then go to university afterwards, but we will see.”
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As Principal Sponsor of British Ski and Snowboard, specialist real estate investment Delancey is proud to be able to support British athletes. Scott Buchan
Charlie Guest at the Delancey British National Alpine Ski Championships. Pictures: Vanessa Fry