British Skiercross Championships Results & Review 2018
THORBURN TURNS BACK THE CLOCK AS BINGHAM BREAKS THROUGH
British Snowboard & Freestyle Ski Championships 2018, LAAX, Switzerland
Pam Thorburn repeated some not-so-distant history while Jonathan Bingham started and ended his season on a high as the pair claimed Ski Cross victories at The BRITS today in Laax.
A former alpine skier, Thorburn turned to Ski Cross in 2012 and had instant success at The BRITS, but has been unable to compete at the event since due to a slew of untimely injuries. Her 2017/18 campaign was again hampered by a body seemingly under repair for the entire season, but despite not racing since January, the World Cup skier was able to come out and score her second-ever win at The BRITS.
Thorburn set the fastest time in qualifying by almost a second and maintained that ascendency when racing head-to-head in the final to win from fellow World Cup skier and two-time defending champion Emma Peters, while Andrea Seaton claimed the final place on the podium.
“It was a fun day. Emma Peters was definitely the one to beat so it’s really nice to get the win here,” said Thorburn. “It’s funny actually, because I’m also here coaching a big group of kids from TXC, The Cross Collective, and it’s a lot of stress coaching and competing, but I thought, ‘I’m here, I might as well do it’.”
“My shoulder is so wrecked, I’ve also got a couple of broken fingers I’ve got to sort out which is why I haven’t raced since January. Getting my body right is my only focus right now, but we got a bunch of podiums with some of the younger skiers as well, so I guess there’ll be some celebrating tonight.”
The men’s event saw a new BRITS champion, with Jonathan Bingham fast in qualification and clinical in the final to stand atop the podium.
Bingham had not raced at all this season, choosing to concentrate on his school studies, but the lack of competition certainly hadn’t hampered his speed as he charged into second seeding for the final behind Seb Ison.
Having finished third at The BRITS in 2017, Bingham then put in a dominant performance in the championship race, never headed after the first turn on his way to the title. Ison finished runner-up while PyeongChang Olympic halfpipe skier Pete Speight showed his versatility, claiming bronze after earlier qualifying in third.
“I started a bit slow and was behind going into the first corner, but then I managed to get into the lead and hold on to the end,” said Bingham. “It’s my first and only race of the year because I’ve been concentrating on school.
“In the summer, I hope to get fit and maybe try and get into some Europa Cups.”
Tomorrow brings with it day three of The BRITS 2018 with the with Ski Halfpipe and Snowboard Slopestyle competitions set have an Olympic flavour to them.
British Ski Cross Championships - Results
Men Women
1st – Jonathan Bingham 1st – Pam Thorburn
2nd – Seb Ison 2nd – Emma Peters
3rd – Pete Speight 3rd – Andrea Seaton
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