Ayrshire Post

Snow bother as Academy stars ski to two top 10 finishes

- PAUL BEHAN

There were two top-10 finishes for the skiing teams at Prestwick Academy when a group of them travelled north to take part in a Scottish Schools Snowsports Associatio­n event.

The events are a series of alpine races held at mountain ski centres around Scotland.

This latest event took place at Glencoe and the talented Prestwick stars notched some great results.

There were 11 pupils from Prestwick Academy racing for the school and they were categorise­d in S1-S3, Females S3-S6 and Male S1-S3 and S3-S6.

All the skiers had two runs to produce their best time for their teams.

Ski team organiser Fiona Hainey said: “For all the S1 Prestwick Academy pupils it was the first time they had competed in the Alpine series races and it was great to see everyone work together as a team.

“The young people from Prestwick Academy learnt so much about race technique and preparatio­n during the event and we look forward to this event next year.”

The A team ranked 10th in the overall Team event and Prestwick Academy’s Senior Ski Team ranked 9th in their category.

Fiona said: “Well done to all the Prestwick Academy pupils who took part in this competitio­n.

“It’s great to see that there are so many young people enjoying the Scottish mountains and we would like to thank the Scottish Schools Snowsports Associatio­n for arranging a full calendar of ski races throughout the year.”

A spokespers­on for Prestwick Academy said: “We are so proud of all of the pupils who took part in what turned out to be challengin­g conditions. They were up against experience­d competitor­s but this did not phase them. Special thanks must go to Mrs Hainey for all her help organising and co-ordinating. We couldn’t run the team without her.

“Prestwick Rotary Club paid for the race fees for the Alpine series which meant there was no barriers to entering this competitio­n.

“And all the pupils from the Ski Team would like to thank their sponsors The Buff, MHC Traffic, Ann Robin Consultant­s and Activon Projects without them the school would not have been able to grow the ski team like it has from just four team members three years ago, to a healthy 18 young people now.

“Their sponsorshi­p has paid for specialise­d race coaching sessions, race fees and a team hoodie, not including the fun and adventures they have had as a team. We thank them for their continued support.”

 ?? ?? Good to go One Prestwick Academy pupil makes their way to the start line for one of two timed runs
Good to go One Prestwick Academy pupil makes their way to the start line for one of two timed runs
 ?? ?? Chillin’ These pupils did not let the cold, biting weather affect their performanc­es on the slopes
Chillin’ These pupils did not let the cold, biting weather affect their performanc­es on the slopes
 ?? ?? Off you go There’s real excitement in the air as one pupil gets off to a flyer
Off you go There’s real excitement in the air as one pupil gets off to a flyer
 ?? ?? Alpine starlets Pictured at Glencoe are some of the Prestwick ski aces
Alpine starlets Pictured at Glencoe are some of the Prestwick ski aces

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