PICTURES: Cairngorm Mountain rises to occasion as hosts of The BRITS
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11 / 11Cairngorm Mountain rose to the occasion after one of Austria's most famous ski resorts pulled the plug at the end of last year on staging The BRITS.
Mayrhofen in the Tyrol had been the initial chosen host venue for this year's GB snowboarding and freeskiing championship.
But one of The BRITS organisers, Stuart Brass, explained: “They did not get the full buy in from partners and let us down in December and we thought we can not miss another year after Covid so we decided to hold it on home soil."
There were around 180 competitors in the snowboarding and freeski sections at the weekend with the weather remaining kind if at times murky on Saturday but the occasional glimpse of sun on Sunday.
There was a terrific friendly atmosphere with a real mix of ages and abilities with the resort being open to all-comers.
The Cairngorm Ski Club and the Cairngorm Snowboarding Club bagged a good haul of national titles and medals.
But for many of those attending, it was more about catching up with old friends and enjoying the social scene rather than bagging medals.
Paul Ferguson, from Sheffield, said: “Some of the old school massive have turned back up and we are having a catch-up and laugh with our friends from up here and down south. It has been a good event.”
It was Ferguson’s first BRITS for 12 years: “Back in the day we were competing and a lot of us over 40s decided to come up to Cairngorm and do the banked slalom.”
He added: “The last time I was at Cairngorm was in 1999. I am really impressed and we are going to come back next year without a shadow of a doubt. We have loved it.”
Andrew Norris, from Halifax, said: “It has been a great set-up. The beer has been flowing and everyone is happy. It has been great catching-up with everyone after missing out on three years of competition because of the Covid pandemic.
“A special mention for the Cairngorm Brewery brew too which I have really enjoyed!”
Commenting on his performance in the banked slalom championship, Mr Norris joked: “I got down but I don’t think I will be threatening the podium places. The main thing was the taking part.”
The man on the mic was Scott Penman who kept the crowd entertained with his running commentary of proceedings over the weekend.
He joked: “I am still clinging onto the snowboard scene despite all these young guns coming through. It has been great having the future and the legends all here together.”
Mr Penman was not competing, explaining: “I like being the centre of attention but whilst keeping my feet on the ground these days.
“I’ve been to the BRITS in Laax and in Tignes but this event seems to be more accessible being at Cairngorm; the crowds are bigger and there are more competitors.”
He added: “Although it is still a mission to get here from south London – it took me 11 hours in the car.”
Mr Penman praised the quality of the build on the slopestyle course.
He said: “You can tell the years of experience that has gone into it – Angus Leith, Connor Carey, and all the other guys who have worked on this."
Aviemore's Euan Baxter, a Snowsport Scotland coach, was instrumental in assisting the return of The Brits.
He said: "The win over the weekend was the stoke from everyone competing and to see Cairngorm Mountain take centre stage for UK snowsport championing the ambition reflective of the ski area's pioneering founders.
"A contagious atmosphere of ambition saw fantastic results from the locals and Scotland overall.
"It was great to be part of in both driving the event from Snowsport Scotland and as a competitor."
Cairngorm Mountain chief executive Susan Smith said: "The BRITS has showcased Cairngorm Mountain at its best.
"Our technical team received the highest level of praise from the GB Olympic representatives in terms of the quality of the set-up of the Ptarmigan Bowl for the competition and has reminded people from all walks of life that Cairngorm can put on top level competitions.
"Our staff did an amazing job in all aspects of the business and we are grateful to the skiing community for the support they gave our team."
Local results for Cairngorm Snowboard Club and Cairngorm Ski Club
Snowboard slopestyle
Slopestyle overall – Gold: Jamie Trinder. Slopestyle masters – silver: Ed Greig. Slopestyle U16 – Bronze: Aaron Perch.
Banked slalom championship
Banked slalom U12 – Gold: Joshua Botherstone; Banked slalom U16 – Silver: Rochelle Amos; Banked slalom legends – Silver: Stevie Trolland.
Banked slalom U16 – Bronze: Eoghain Sutherland. Banked slalom – overall gold: Lesley McKenna. Banked slalom legends gold and silver overall: Euan Baxter.
Rail jam
Rail jam – silver: Jamie Trinder.
Freeskiing
Banked slalom U18 – Gold: Fionn Townsend.
Banked slalom legends gold and silver overall: Lesley McKenna.
