Skiing: Scots finish season on a high in France

Scottish ski racers finished their long winter seasons in style on the sunny slopes of Meribel, France yesterday as Dougie Crawford (Bearsden SC) lifted the Victric Ludorum Trophy as British overall champion and Alex Tilley (Aberdeen) won the Women’s Giant Slalom title.

Crawford’s combined championships points aggregate from title wins in the Men’s Super G, Downhill, Super Combi and his third place in the Men’s Giant Slalom left the talented English 16-year-old Darcie Mead trailing just behind. She skied all of the championship disciplines while Crawford elected not to take any risks by skiing slalom.

Tilley skied to victory in both the Women’s Giant Slalom and the Junior Giant Slalom races which were run over the course of a day which was unprecedented for the number of international FIS races completed in nine hours on one piste.

Both of the top Scots have made excellent net progress over their seasons. Tilley, in just her second full-time season, has seen her world ranking in giant slalom move into the top 100, while Crawford – coming back strongly from two injury-hit years – is inside the top 60 in Downhill.

“It means a lot to win this,” said Crawford. “To have missed two years through injury and get back to the top of the podium straight away is important for me.

“The skiing is there but I just need to clean it up and not make mistakes. I have changed my plans to do the Scottish Championships in Courchevel and hopefully I can get a Scottish title to take home. Winning the overall is about being fast all week, it shows that all round I am progressing. There are lots of young guys coming up and keeping ahead is not easy.”