Skier and Boarder Cross – the most exciting events of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics is back in Scotland for 2011! Having hit Cairngorm Mountain last season this action packed, exciting event heads to Glenshee on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 March 2011 with the Saab Challenge, Scottish Snowcross Championships.
This event, organised by the highly regarded Aberdeen Snowsports Club and sponsored by Saab is the only one of its kind to be held in the United Kingdom.
At last year’s event nearly 100 competitors from all over Scotland raced head to head in an adrenalin and action packed knockout race along a course consisting of man-made and natural rollers, jumps, kickers and banked turns, all at high speed.
The event took many days of preparation with Cairngorm Mountain specially cutting the track by moving hundreds of tons of snow with their piste grooming machines. A dedicated organising team of 20 volunteer officials from Aberdeen Snowsports Club worked for three days to make the course safe and competitive.
Specially commissioned starting gates, similar to those used at the Vancouver Olympics, were taken almost to the summit of Cairngorm at an altitude of 3,800 feet and erected by Maritime Scaffolding of Aberdeen, a firm that specialises in building such structures in harsh environments.
Experience showed through as the titles of The Saab Challenge Scottish Skier Cross Champion in both men’s and ladies categories were won by full time ski racers and members of the Scottish Alpine Ski Team, Scott McBain (22) from Glasgow and Sarah Norton (19) from Carrbridge.
The Saab Challenge Scottish Boarder Cross Champion men’s title was won by Kevin Clark (23) from Boat of Garten, a member of the British Army Snowboard Team who has recently completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan and had previously served in Iraq. The ladies title was won by former Cairngorm Mountain Snowboard instructor Anna Dawson (29) from Aviemore.
Neil Cameron, Chairman of Aberdeen Snowsports Club, commented, “We were delighted with last year’s Snowcross and our thanks go to Cairngorm Mountain and Saab. This year we are excited at the prospect of taking the event to Glenshee and their support and enthusiasm has been amazing. I’m sure the Snowcross will become the comp of the season!”
For more information and registration visit www.aberdeensnowsportsclub.org/Competitions
