Injured skier in intensive training

Just over six months since breaking her back in an horrific crash while training in Sweden, Scottish and GB slalom ski ace Charlie Guest is continuing to fast-track her preparations for success on the Europa and World Cup alpine circuit.

While other 21-year-olds may be turning their thoughts to relaxing in summer holiday sunshine, all this week the Perth-based member of the British Alpine Ski Team is heading indoors for intensive on snow training at Snow Factor Braehead.

Scotland’s only indoor real snow facility, the perfectly groomed slopes offer Guest, one of Britain’s top slalom skiers, ideal conditions to practice as she prepares for her first international race of the season in New Zealand in early August.

The former Dundee High pupil previously utilised Snow Factor over Christmas, as part of her rehabilitation after sustaining a broken back in a training accident in Sweden last November.

She has previously credited a back protector with saving her from even worse injury.

Just three months later, Guest competed at the World Alpine Ski Championships in Colorado, achieved two top 10 finishes in international (FIS) slalom races and recorded a career best Europa Cup finish of 20th at Monte Pora in Italy.

Guest, who in her career to date has already recorded 43 podium finishes, is now firmly focused on achieving results on the tough Europa and World Cup circuits.