Skiers at Woldingham School have excelled this season, winning 24 medals between them.
Sisters, Olivia and Sophie Foster both trained and raced in the Austrian Alps in January at the Ambition Championships in Hinterreit and the Evolution Speed series held in Reiteralm, in Super G races and a Super Combined (Super G and slalom). Olivia won the U16 Super Combined title and Sophie the U14 Super Gs and the U14 Super Combined title. In addition, Sophie was the Overall Winner of the speed series having collected maximum points in every single race. Between them they won 11 gold, two silver and a bronze medal.
These results qualified both girls for Team GB at the Trofeu Borrufa International Races in Andorra at the beginning of February, at which 23 countries and 250 athletes competed over four days in three disciplines. Of 12 medals won by Team GB, the sisters won five and Team GB was awarded 2nd place in the competition overall, its best ever performance at an international junior race.
The school’s ski team competed in the annual British Schoolgirls’ Races in Flaine at the end of January, with Corinna Bertazzoni, Sparkle Sparshott and Lucy Bull taking part. Despite the challenge of the Slalom course resulting in several disqualifications, all three Woldingham girls made it safely down both runs and in respectable places, with Corinna finishing 1st in the U16 category and 2nd overall, the best school ski team achievement to date.
More recently Sophie and Corinna both competed in the English Alpine Championships held in Bormio Italy. Sophie was crowned U14 Overall Champion, winning three national titles and gold medals in the U14 Giant Slalom and the two Super G titles. Corinna came in 3rd place in the U16 Ladies Slalom, winning a bronze medal.
Director of Sport, Caroline Treacy said:
“These results are phenomenally good and we are extremely proud of the girls’ hard work in achieving such high standards. Alongside their rigorous academic timetable, all girls are supported fully in their sports programme, allowing them to develop their passion to such a high level.”