JENNY Mashiter has earned a highly-prized place on the British Children's Alpine Ski Team.

During the summer and autumn, 14-year-old Jenny, from Carr Bank, Milnthorpe, underwent a technical, fitness and time trialling selection process to gain selection for the team.

And the action starts next week when she will be competing in her first race for the team at Ricky in the Czech Republic.

Jenny, who attends Dallam School, has also gained one of only two female places to represent GB at the Children's World Championships for the Topolino during February half-term at Pinzolo in Italy. The Topolino competitions are regarded as the premier races world-wide with teenagers from about 40 nations competing.

Jenny will also compete in GB colours at the Children's Olympics in Abertone, Italy in early April.

Over the Christmas period, she has been on intensive training near Pitzal in Austria with her snow club, The Kandahar, in preparation for the BARSC races, which were held in Alpbach last week.

She took first position overall by a convincing margin in her favourite discipline of the slalom. She also gained further podium places with two thirds in the giant slalom over the following days.

After those results, Jenny was awarded the Ladies Ski Club Trophy for the best combined children-girl at the championship, earning a voucher towards her costs.

Jenny, whose ultimate ambition is to compete at the Olympics, is gratefully receiving support from South Lakeland District Council, Anything Technical, SIDAS, Big Fish Internet and South Lakeland Caravans.

(Contributed picture)