Team GB deliver strong performances on day 2 at the EYOWF
17 Feb 2009
16 year old Callum Smith (Inverurie) took a leaf out of his Huntly Nordic Ski-ing Club training partner Andrew Musgrave’s book to produce an outstanding performance in the Classic 7.5km Time Trial finishing in 28th place out of 82 starters.
Smith who took up the sport after enjoying a come-and-try-it session has progressed through to ranks to reach the junior development squad and his ambitions do not stop there. Smith is determined to use his experience at the EYOWF to make an impact on the international stage and hopes to make the British Olympic team in Sochi 2014.
Commenting on his race Smith said:
“Andrew is doing really well at the moment and I try to look at his performances and use them as inspiration. Training has gone really well and I have managed to stay illness free since Christmas. This is the biggest event I have competed in so far and the competition is fierce. I beat a number of really good skiers today and I am delighted to break in to the top 30.”
Smith’s team-mates William Newman (Huntly) finished 57th and Andrew Young (Huntly) did not start.
In the girls Classic 5km Time Trial Deborah May (Huntly) finished 60th and Lauren Spencer (Gloucester) finished 63rd.
Qualification got underway today for Team GB in the Boarder Cross snowboard event. In the men’s time trial Dean Horsfield (Accrington) put in a strong first run to qualify for tomorrow’s final. Team-mates Ollie Jackson (Broadstairs) just missed out on qualification finishing in 34th place and Mark Raper (Doncaster) finished in 41st. Jamie Barrow (Miles) did not start.
Commenting on his performance Horsfield said:
“This is my first international FIS boardercross event so I’m really pleased with my performance. I’m feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement heading in to tomorrow’s final but it’s all really good experience for me so I’m looking forward to it”.
In the women’s event Ro Kealey (London), who is celebrating her birthday today, shaved two seconds off her first time in the 2nd run but just missed out on the qualification cut off finishing in 23rd place. This result however is her best result in a FIS event.
Ten years ago 15 year old figure skater Harry Mattick (Bradford) was temporarily left unable to walk after a terrible car crash which killed his father. A school trip to Bradford Ice Arena made such a positive impact on Mattick, that he is now British champion, for his age group. The EYOWF marks the first time that Mattick has been asked to represent Great Britain and after today’s short programme he currently lies 13th going in to the free programme on Friday.
Today marked another victorious day for Team GB’s curlers at the Bielsko-Biala curling arena. The women’s team put in two strong performances to beat Norway 7-3 and then later in the day beat Switzerland 5-4 after an extra end.
The men’s team beat the Czech Republic 6-3.
Commenting on the teams performances coach Rhona Martin said:
“This week so far has proved to be a great event for our young athletes in gaining experience of what it’s like being part of a Great Britain Olympic Team. I am delighted with the performances so far and both teams are sitting in a good position.
“Tomorrow’s matches are vital – if we win both matches against the hosts Poland then we are guaranteed medals here. I am only disappointed that I have to return home tomorrow for the Scottish Finals but I leave the teams in the good hands of Debbie and Hazel.”
In the men’s slalom today Ash Hill (Cartmel) put in a strong second run to finish in 28th place from 120 starters in tricky over cast conditions. Ali Stang (Glasgow) finished in 32nd, Matt Thompson (Milton Keynes) in 40th and Jo Morrison (Banchory) did not finish.
Tomorrow sees Team GB’s in action in the following sports:
Cross Country
Deborah May and Lauren Spencer will compete in the Freestyle 7.5km time trial and William Newman and Callum Smith will go in the men’s Freestyle 10km time trial.
Curling
Competition continues for both the men’s and women’s teams. The women will look to continue their winning ways as they take on hosts Poland and the men also take on the hosts and later in the day face Denmark.
Figure Skating
Katie Powell will be looking to build upon Monday’s good performance which sees her currently lying in 14th place ahead of tomorrow’s short programme.
Team GB’s Ice Dance pairing of Sophie Jones and Richard Sharpe, who scored a PB in yesterday’s compulsory dance and are currently lying in 8th place will compete in the original dance.
Snowboard
Dean Horsfield is hoping for a solid performance in the Boardercross final which is a new event for him.
Team GB news and results will be posted on www.olympics.org.uk/eyowf09
For further information please contact Becki Middleton on 00 44 7918 768 816 or rebecca.middleton@boa.org.uk