Schools skiing: Double delight for Ball and Henderson

Oscar Ball and Paul Henderson scored a great double for Stewart’s Melville by winning, respectively, the British and Scottish individual titles at the Scottish and British Schools’ Dry Slope Championships at Hillend in Edinburgh.

he pair also helped Erskine Stewart’s Melville win the overall joint girls’ and boys’ school team award.

The rest of the team line-up included Oscar’s brother Elliot, Calum MacAllister, Becky Dunlop, Morven MacAllister, Sarah Morris and Kirsten Boyd.

A member of the Lothian Ski Racing Team, Oscar has been on the slopes since he was just three years old.

“I was surprised but delighted to win,” he said. “Elliot finished in second place at the Scottish Championships. He had been hoping to win because it is his last year – but he was also pleased for me.

“If I keep improving and my racing is good enough then I would like to take my skiing further and I’ll maybe try the Scottish trials next year. I would also love to become a ski coach.”

Skiing is going to play a big part in the Ball family’s Christmas holidays. “We are going to Norway on Boxing Day and I’ll be taking part in some races out there,” added Oscar.