Skier Cross Series
26th June 2008

The ever growing British Ski Cross Series arrived at SNO!zone Braehead on 15 June 2008, as competitors from across the UK gathered for the second round of the series, eager to pick up where they left off following the success of Round One in Castleford the previous month...

Speed favours the brave
While the course wasn’t as technical as at Round One, it had shown itself to be a lot faster, with a fair few skiers taking some heavy knocks during open practice. With the time trials underway the course proved to favour the stronger athletes, with Senior age group competitors packing the top ten rankings. As more skiers hit the corners, taking off the top layer of soft snow, the course gradually picked up speed, allowing the Youth and Junior racers a chance to use their second timed run to break into the top set.

In the Knock out Head to Heads, Graham Pinkerton took maybe the loudest cheer of the day when he threw an audacious backflip off the final jump on his way to finishing third.

Freezing the lead
As usual the women's Final was first up and immediately brought about a shock result - Round One winner and fastest female of the day Jasmine Taylor tangled with Danielle Freeze and came off worse, with Freeze powering through to take the female victory, followed by Gracie Lake leaving Taylor to settle for third.

Onto the Youth Males Final where Max Baggio again showed his talent, cruising by the field to his second consecutive.

In the Junior Final Round One winner Jacob Lawless was under pressure from Marek Benkhe and Callum Mclennan from the off, and it eventually proved too much for the youngster as Benkhe made up for a disappointing Round One taking the victory from Mclennan, leaving Lawless to finish third, ahead of Chris Wadsworth.

As with Round One, the Senior Final proved to be the tightest, most physical race of the day. Top seed from qualifying Andrew Matthews took the lead out of the gate, but both Morton and Thomson caught him into the first corner. Amid a sea of flailing arms and ski poles Morton emerged from corner two with the lead, followed swiftly by Thomson and Ben Corby. While the trio were only inches from each other and barely ahead of Matthews, that’s how it stayed and Morton picked up his second Senior victory in two Rounds.

Going for the cash
As the four winning finalist lined up to dash for the cash in the Super Final, the smart money was on the experienced heads of Baggio and Morton. Marek Benkhe took a flyer out of the start while Baggio and Morton came together going into corner one. As the pair scrapped, the difference in age and strength showed and Baggio was sent crashing to the snow. Danielle Freeze took advantage of Baggio's misfortune to snatch third place, and while Morton attacked the lower section of the course and started to claw back time on Benkhe it was too little too late as the Junior Race Winner crossed the line for his first overall victory and a pocket full of cash!

With his second place in the Super Final, Kenny Morton retained his position at the top of the overall leaders board, while Marek Benkhe moved into second above Max Baggio.

Don't miss out on Round Three on 12-13 July - book your place at Hype Events.

The British Ski Cross Series would not be possible without its highly supportive sponsors:
SNO!zone, Atomic Skis, d3o, futur-3, Head Skis & Alibi Pretox
Media partners: Natives.co.uk, Ski Club of Great Britain & Metro Snow

British Ski Cross Series Round 2 Results:

Female:
1st – Danielle Freeze #32
2nd – Gracie Lake #94
3rd – Jasmine Taylor #26

Youth Males:
1st – Max Baggio #67
2nd – Ewan Matthew #80
3rd – Max Moss #66

Junior Males:
1st – Marek Benkhe #83
2nd – Callum Mclennan - #31
1st – Jacob Lawless #13

Senior Males:
1st – Kenny Morton #78
2nd – Ryan Thomson #21
3rd – Ben Corby #17