Ski star Guest returns on top form

skiing: 23-year-old from Perth makes winning comeback from broken hand

Injury may have ruled her out of action for just shy of two months but nothing could stop Perth ski star Charlie Guest from taking slalom top spot at the Delancey British National Alpine Ski Championships yesterday.

Almost eight weeks after suffering a nasty break to her hand, Guest only returned to the slopes last week, but proved her form had not faltered during her lengthy setback.

Having set an opening time of 40.65 seconds in the first slalom run in Tignes, the 23-year-old crossed the line in 41.90 seconds in the second to finish above fellow Scottish skiers Ella Still and Nicole Ritchie in the standings.

Victory saw Guest retain her title from last year’s championships and, despite an up-and-down season on the slopes, she insisted climbing atop the British podium was the perfect way to end the campaign.

“I’m super happy to have won. 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,” said the former Strathallan School pupil.

“I broke my hand really badly about seven weeks ago and I had to have quite a complex operation on it.

“I’ve managed to get back so fast on to the snow, so I’m thrilled to have come back and achieved my first first place this season.

“I try to tell myself that I’m going to have no expectations when I come into races, but there is always something inside me wanting to be on the podium.

“When you turn up at the British Championships, the only thing you want to do is to walk away with the title, especially after winning it last year.

“I came in to try and defend my title and so it’s a great feeling to be able to do that.

“The courses were great and the conditions held up really well, so I’m really happy with how I skied.”

Next up for Guest is the giant slalom today, a discipline she has not raced in some time.

“I’m really excited for the giant slalom on Friday, because it’ll be my first GS race in two years,” she said.

“I’ve had a lot of back injuries and back problems since I crashed in 2014 and broke four vertebrae, but I can’t wait to get back on to my GS skis.”

Picture: Vanessa Fry. Charlie Guest competes in the giant slalom today.