ALCOTT IN BEST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWING

Chemmy Alcott, Britain’s top ranked skier, finished in 15^th place in the women’s Downhill event in the FIS World Ski Champiionships at Val D’Isere in France earlier today. It is the highest World Championship placing yet achieved by Alcott in any discipline, and comes less than three months after she suffered a broken ankle in training.

It is the second time in a week that Alcott, 26, from Twickenham, has set a personal best performance. Just six days ago she finished 20^th in the Super G discipline. Her previous best placing in the World Championships was 19^th in the Downhill in 2005.

British Alpine Ski Team Head Coach Mark Tilston said: “The weather was decent, it was consistent and made for a fair race. The piste was in excellent condition. Chemmy had a good run, she made a mistake shortly after the second split which cost her time but she was able to let her speed run and in the end did well.

“The result is another step forward for Chemmy. She is catching up on the Downhill training she has missed this season and her result is another step in the right direction.”