The Equity team join ESSKIA for a fun race weekend

Over the weekend of October 8-9th 2022, the Equity team headed to Norwich for the ESSKIA English Finals & Open Championships.

Taking place at the Norfolk Snowsports Club, the competition saw schools from across England sending their best skiers from different age groups, having initially qualified through the English Regional Qualifiers. With prizes for the fastest individual girls and boys, as well as the fastest girls team and boys team across the various age groups, the competition soon heated up under the sunny blue skies. 

Our history with ESSKIA

Equity has been working closely with the ESSKIA (English Schools’ Ski Association) team for several years now, sponsoring their events and helping to arrange their overseas training camps. ESSKIA actively encourages children from across the UK to participate and excel in skiing, both in the UK and abroad. By improving the excellence of young skiers, they are helping to encourage more students to take up skiing and are training the next elite skiers to represent the UK in competitions. With training and assistance from former Olympians and top trainers, it’s clear to see the progression in these young skiers, with some proving their potential to represent Team GB in the future. Equity is proud to work with ESSKIA to help provide these opportunities to students, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for these talented individuals.

The Race

Travelling from across the country, the competitors were treated to perfect autumnal conditions for the event. Setting up their bases, prepping their skis, and going through the course in their head, everyone was ready for the tournament and to share their support to all those involved. With the perfect mix of longer sweeping turns, tight weaves, and changing slope angles, the slalom course provided the students with a challenging yet familiar run to thoroughly test their abilities.

After initially walking the course and getting some practice runs in, the tournament began. Moving up through the various age groups throughout the weekend, it was clear to see the progression that these students go through while working with ESSKIA. Despite a few minor crashes and tumbles, everyone involved achieved some brilliant times, with a few sub-13 second times posted on the board. 

At the end of each day, the prizes for the three fastest individuals and teams across the boys and girls of the different age groups were handed out. Much to everyone's surprise, Saturday ended up with a joint first-place win for two of the boys teams, who came in with team times that differed by just a 1000th of a second.

The Venue - Norfolk Snowsports Club

Providing the backdrop to this event was the Norfolk Snowsports Club; one of the best dry slope practice centres in the UK. Featuring a tubing slope, a nursery slope, button lifts, magic carpets, moguls, waves, a kicker, and a quarterpipe, it’s a brilliant facility for skiers and snowboarders of any ability to enjoy. The main feature of the centre though is its large main slope, which provides the perfect length and width for a slalom course across its differing slope angles. Aside from slalom skiing, the slope also provides plenty of space for practise – perfect for those who haven't had the opportunity to get up to the mountains for a while.

Future opportunities for young talent

Following the results of the tournament, numerous teams qualified for the British Finals, which will take place in Stoke on November 27th 2022. Representing England against other school teams from across Wales and Scotland, this will be a day to look forward to, and we wish all the skiers the best! 

ESSKIA will also be working with student skiers to provide ski opportunities on the snowy slopes across Europe over the coming winter seasons. For those fortunate enough to go and push their abilities to the next level, we can’t wait to hear their stories.

The perfect pre-season warm-up

Overall the weekend was a huge success. Everyone involved gave their best and showed their eagerness to test their skills and improve their race times. For a lucky few, they came away with some prizes from the Equity raffle, including chocolate hampers, a Fujifilm Instax camera, and a Salomon rucksack.

Looking ahead, the weekend provided the perfect early-season practice for many before they take on the mountain slopes this winter. For others, their results may open up some new possibilities for them to train, practice, and travel with other like-minded students from across the UK, all working towards the same goal. We're looking forward to hearing more from the teams over the winter season, and we can't wait to return next year.

If you’re eager to get your students back on the mountain slopes, you can find a full list of our ski destinations here. 

To read about the mental health benefits of skiing, be sure to read our blog here.

For more information on our school tours and ski trips, visit our website or get in touch.