KENDAL skier Katie Ormerod has recently taken part in the British Alpine Children’s championships after a little help from the British Ski Academy.

Katie took advantage of the ideal weather conditions in Andorra to prepare for the championships to train before venturing on a 14-hour coach journey to Tignes for the British Alpine Children’s Championship.

Race Day One saw the Super G travelling at speeds of 50mph, and Katie did an amazing performance coming 17th out of 32 racers.

She was in high spirits going into day two of races for the Grand Slalom.

The weather for GS was ideal and Katie was “up for it’, sadly it wasn’t to be, the wait for her to appear over the horizon was too long ‘the nerves were setting in and that sick feeling you get when you know things aren’t right’ were crowding my head” said mum Emma.

“After a race stop and a 5-minute wait, we saw Katie come side slipping down the side of the course with a marshal, she had crashed at high speed and injured her lower leg. A quick trip to the medical centre and an x-ray determined nothing was broken, just rest was needed.

"Luckily the day after was a rest day.

“The final day was 2 Slalom Races; the course was very rutted and a lot of people were struggling and skiing out. Katie had her race head on and always gives it her best, sadly it wasn’t too be and she also succumbed to the course.

"Moral was very low – racing can be psychologically hard – and Katie had to dig deep to get back to the start line to complete her second race. She did and finished 20th out of 35 – “we could not be prouder of her, this has been a hard learning year, competing at the highest level in England – and she has done herself proud,” said Emma.

She added: “We now start the Summer series on the dry and indoor slopes around the UK, starting in Llandudno for the Eola GBR Outdoor Round 1 & 2 at the end of this month, all race dates and results can be found on her website www.katieormerodski.com – along with all the people that have made this winter racing abroad possible.

“Katie would like to say a huge thank you to all that have helped fund her.”