TRAINING FOR PEAK FITNESS
A Cambuslang teenager jetted out to Austria to take on 12 days of training in preparation for the Anglo Scottish Skiing Championships.
Chris McLew (14) will travel to France for the competition next month after being selected to ski for the Scottish team and British Alpine squad.
The third year student at Cathkin High School came second in last year’s under-14 British Championships and is looking to claim a top spot in January’s Scottish under-16 competition.
The Anglo Scottish Championships take place from January 2 to 5 but Chris, of Prospect Avenue, must first prepare for the challenge with 12 days of gruelling training in Austria.
According to the young skier, the best part of the event is the race itself and skiing down a piste at high speed is what gets his heart racing.
He added: “The adrenaline I feel during a race is amazing.
“I prefer off-piste races as they are more fun and you can go faster down them.”
Chris has been skiing with his family since he was five years old and trains with the European Development and Excellence Programme (EDEP), who enter Chris into the races and provide support and course inspection.
His dad Duncan said: “Chris is looking forward to going to the Scottish Championships. He’s aiming for the top five at under-16 level and he’d like to get selected for the British team.
“It’s his first year at under-16 so it will be tough.
“He’s been training hard. He trains at least twice a week at Bellahouston or Braehead.”
After nearly two weeks of training Chris will return in time for Christmas with his family before he jets off again to compete in the slalom races in France.
Chris had hoped to compete in other races this year but most had been called off due to lack of snow.