Alpine skier Zak Vinter ended his individual racing week in good form today, securing a 27th place finish in today’s boys’ slalom race at the 2015 European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF 2015).
Despite being a year younger than many of the 110 competitors in Liechtenstein, the 16-year-old dropped from 36th after run one to secure Team GB’s second alpine skiing top 30 of the week before tomorrow’s team event.
Elsewhere Euan Kick and Robert Poth skied out when pushing hard to challenge the top places, but Vinter knows the value of the experience gained by all the team this week while racing against Europe’s elite junior skiers.
“I have really enjoyed competing this week. It’s been good to see some of the other racers because I know a few of them so it has been good to compare myself against there and see where I sit in comparison to the other nations,” said Vinter.
“I am one of the younger guys here so it has been good to get into these races because I have only competed in a few races before this.
“Many of the guys here have raced a lot more than me so it has been good to get a shot at it.”
There were only two disciplines on show for Team GB today and, just 3km down the road from the alpine skiing, GB’s cross country skiers were finishing their week of competition.
Lynne Gray fell just short of completing a hat-trick of personal bests as she came in 61st in the girls’ 1.35km sprint, while teammate Beth Maclean skied in one place behind the 16-year-old.
Duncan Gibb finished his week with a 62nd place in the boys’ 1.35km sprint and Gray, despite having aimed for the complete set of PBs, was in buoyant mood afterwards following a good week’s racing.
“I am pleased with my two personal bests this week but I would have liked three,” said Gray.
“My highlight of the week was yesterday's race because there was a really big crowd watching. There were lots of school children cheering really loudly for everyone so that gave me a boost - they gave us high fives after we had finished which was really nice.”
“It has been great meeting the other sports in Team GB this week. Each of our sports are so different so it is nice to learn about them.
“Whilst we had all had different experiences each day we've all been through similar emotions, and I thought they would be totally different. I’ve really enjoy the week.”
TEAM GB IN ACTION - DAY 5
On the fifth and final day of EYOF 2015 only the alpine skiers are in action for Team GB as they compete in the Mixed Team Event. They're up against co-hosts Austria in round one from 10am tomorrow morning.
Alpine Skiing - Mixed Team Event
10.00
Team TBC