Tignes and other exciting news

After the Swiss Nationals we all went back to our accommodation to get packed up to move onto the second half of this skiing trip – the British Championships, in Tignes. After a quick stop off in Zurich in Switzerland overnight with a teammate and her family we set off to Tignes bright and early on the 21st March. We had an extremely long journey to Tignes however eventually we made it late that night. The next few days were used to become acclimatised to the terrain and snow of Tignes in training and gates before races started that weekend. By this point in the trip the early mornings were feeling much less bad than they had previously. 

Race day for slalom arrived after seeing the able bodied seniors battle down the course a few days prior I knew the gradient was going to be steep and it was going to be two tough runs but I was up for it. Inspection time became upon us all, although there was treacherous snow conditions at the top of the course a few of us got to the start gate to set off from there. 

Inspection gave me time psychologically to get my head around the start followed by the courses. This event was the inaugural British Para-Alpine Championships alongside the able bodied championships. The consequence of this was the event was purely for Great Britain, leaving myself as the only female stand up racing. Some would say this would surely be reassuring that I was competing against no-one else, however this made the race even more nerve-wracking because I was competing against myself. I knew that if I finished I would come away with a medal, but the pressure from myself was rising so this wasn’t to be an easy race. 

However, the first run came about reasonably fast and yet again I skied down it fighting to stay in the course against the terrain but also placing what I had done in training days before into the race. I managed to complete the first run which is always brilliant, although my family and teammates were slightly concerned when I decided to go through the finish line and continue through to the end without stopping. After quick hydration and something to eat, it was all go for the second run for the day. Another inspection occurred, and my nerves kept accumulating. 

The time for the second run transpired as quickly as the first and it was another battle down the course, and thankfully, after motivation in the start gate and pure concentration, I finished it.  

Having completed both runs, I won a gold medal and became the British Ladies Champion in the stand-up female skiing category. It was a wonderful experience because not only where there no casualties on the podium for me (thanks to Jen and Duncan for helping me on that front), it was a historic event in the name of IPCAS. 
What made the whole experience so much better was the support I had as my whole family, as well as my teammates and their parents who were watching at the bottom as I was in the course even if I did ski out of the finish area in the first run… I love scaring everyone!!!

Looking back on my season which consisted of plenty of hard work and training but, wow, it could not be any more worth it. I am fully aware that I will need to do more to progress in time for next season, when I hope to start racing in the Europa cup in slalom, and then giant slalom. This means continuous strengthening and conditioning in the gym, alongside, training up in Manchester and hopefully abroad with the team on training camps! I feel as if progress is already being made which is always encouraging. 

I can only say that all this so far has only been possible with the support I have given by those in the team, my family, friends and finally from school. A special thanks to both John Clark (standing and skiing Lead Ski coach), and Abi Okell (team physio) for managing my nerves. One of the fundemental notions of ski racing is nutrition, and for this I would like to thank Olly Rigden, despite not eating (all) the evening meal due to my party not knowing, he was very welcoming when it came to serving up another portion of whatever pudding was going… They were all insanely incredible, as were the mains when I could sneak one by. Another thanks must go to James Redpath for organising all of the teams programmes, travel and accommodation, for all of our summer, Autumn and season adventures; it is very much appreciated. 

Excitingly, I recently had a request from the head of PE to return to school for a sports assembly which sadly I couldn’t attend due to leaving the country early that morning (6th July). I was warned that it was positively good news. After an apologetic email to the teacher who had requested me in for not being able to come in, I had a very quick response giving the reason. I was to be named Sports Personality of the Year, which in all the sporting awards at my school is the most prestigious. Thank you to all of the department for the contributing. Nevertheless she expressed that it will be rewarded to you in September. I never ever thought something like that would happen; a member of the Griffith family getting the Sports Personality award!! I’m just a little excited – now that’s one of the biggest understatements ever…

Until then I cannot wait to continue training in a mixture of places, mainly the Chill Factore with a small bit at the Snozone at Milton Keynes, leaving the best until last Wittenburg from 12th-18th August with the team, invitational athletes like myself, development squad athletes and elite athletes. I can tell you one thing. These last months have been life-changing for my self confidence, esteem and have been eye opening. Not to mention the funniest months of my life that I can remember… I’m looking forward to non stop laughter from the 12th-18th August (not to mention the race training sessions on the 26th July, 2nd, 9th, 23rd and the 30th August. I may even make it up for some Sunday sessions. A Tuesday session is completely different compared to a Sunday morning session with the terrain and compactness alongside being able to work on further fundementals. I am yet to give a MASSIVE MASSIVE thank you to Carl Ryding (chill Factore race coach). You have kept me smiling since June 2015 when I came and joined. Within one session I was fully welcomed into the training family by the other able body racers.

John, you always managed to keep my spirits up when I thought a run wasn’t brilliant in a race and most importantly encouraging me throughout. F=ma is vital… 

Here is some video from my summer training so far:

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I could go on forever with thanking the special people that have entered my life and survived but then both, you and me would be here forever. I just what to highlight that there are many many more people in my life that have contributed to me. Why many of you chose to stay beside me, an insane risk taker and crazy teenager I will never know. (You know who you are!)

Going from a 15 year old girl who had relatively low self esteem and confidence to being generally much happier and brighter has been down to these people (and others in my personal life). That isn’t to say I don’t have bad days, or weeks but if you had told me a year ago all that would happen I wouldn’t have believed you. 

FRIENDS, FAMILY, TEACHERS & ALL AT BRITISH PARASNOWSPORT thank you for supporting me, encouraging me and giving me hope for my future in this – my sport, my passion. 

Here’s to a brilliant first international season and an amazing summers training.  My personal hopes for the upcoming season is to progress into the next two leagues in Slalom and start to ski Giant Slalom and fingers crossed progress onto the development squad. 

I love skiing; I love it because it allows me to prove people wrong. Everytime I clip into my skis I absolutely adore the feeling of freedom they give me; I feel they are my wings of an injured bird longing to fly and only I can control my planks. As well as the sense of freedom they give me they also allow me to feel as light as feathers; my skis feel like feathers on my feet. My back needs to be as strong as steel, my left pole plants correctly timed, alongside the degrees my edges are at with my body down the mountain at all times. In the start gate all I focus on is the star and the course in front of me. 

Life is an amazing adventure….I have learned that life is for taking risks, however dangerous as long as they give me pleasure. 

These three experiences and emotions are fundemental:

• HAPPINESS
•  LAUGHTER 
• EXCITEMENT 

Accepting my disability for the opportunities they have given me has been the most liberating thing that has occurred in the last year. 

After all to quote Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the Olympic Games in 1896 

“The important thing in the Olympic Games is not the winning but the taking part.

The important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle.”

Bring on more summer training