Millfield skier Katie Saunders has won the overall U16 female category at the English Alpine Championships.
Year 10 student Katie travelled to Bormio, Italy for the championships, and was crowned U16 champion despite it being her first year competing in that age group.
Katie started skiing at three years old, and began racing on dry slopes at seven when she joined her local ski race club in Aldershot. She skis with the Millfield team every Wednesday in training sessions held at the Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre, and regularly represents the school in competitions.
Fourteen-year-old Katie started at Millfield in September, and chose to come to the school because of the unrivalled sports provision, as well as the high academic standard. She is studying PE, French, history and separate sciences alongside all of the core subjects, and hopes to work in science in the future whilst continuing to pursue her skiing.
Katie said, “Winning the U16 female category means I will be able to get better sponsorships and progress in my skiing career. It also gives me confidence to move on and keep racing. Millfield is very supportive with my skiing; from letting me be in Austria for months of the year whilst still helping me with my schoolwork, to having the ski team there for me so I can ski when I’m in England too.”
India Pocock and Maisie Patel run the ski programme at Millfield. India said “We are all incredibly proud of Katie’s success. Since joining Millfield and the Ski Team last September, Katie has quickly become a respected member, bringing with her prior ski race experience and knowledge of the sport. It is fantastic to see her efforts rewarded in Italy. Well done Katie!”
Consistent performances in National Schools’ Championships prove how Millfield ranks as one of the best schools for Ski instruction and development on the British Isles. Training and conditioning is tailored to each student, allowing them to improve at a pace and style that they enjoy. Millfield enjoys close links with the major British Ski Race Academies, so high performers are supported when away from school at training camps or competitions.
Categories: Millfield School School News
