BIBURY skiing ace Max Pini insists confidence is high heading into the upcoming English Alpine Ski Championships – despite returning to the place where he suffered injury 12 months ago, writes Ross Lawson.

Pini will be among 350 of the best English Alpine skiers to descend on Bormio, Italy between February 11-17 for the 21st English Alpine Championships, organised by national governing body Snowsport England.

And with this being the 10th anniversary of the championships being held in Bormio, Pini is determined to make his mark.

The 15-year-old who goes to Cheltenham College, is due to be competing in the Giant Slalom, Super G and Slalom across the seven days, and is hopeful his experience of racing on the slopes can overcome last season's disappointment.

Max has even more incentive to do well as he has been selected for the Youth International race in Abertone, Italy on March 31 and April 1.  

“I’ve been to Bormio a few times since I was eight, I’m quite experienced out there and it’s always been fantastic fun,” he said.

“Last year wasn’t so good, I injured myself in the slalom on the second day, twisting my knee, which ended my competition and kept me out of training for a good few weeks.

“I’m not that scared – I know why it happened and it wasn’t because of the hill, it was just because I didn’t ski at my best at that particular moment, something I’m confident of changing this time.

“The best thing to do is forget about it and remember that this is a different race.”

The English Alpine Championships are a week of national-level racing and skiing camaraderie, featuring the best English skiers in the country, ranging from Under-10s up to senior athletes.

The event continues to feature the rising stars of alpine skiing in England, previously acting as a platform for the likes of Chemmy Alcott and Dave Ryding, who finished second in the alpine World Cup slalom at Kitzbuhel in January – Britain’s best result in 35 years.

Pini is hoping he can take inspiration from Ryding’s display, and is looking for a top-three finish from his Under-16 boys’ category ahead of racing internationally for Great Britain later in the season.

And while it promises to be a busy week by competing in three disciplines, Pini already has half an eye on an event he hopes he can make his own in Bormio.

He added: “The Giant Slalom is a big favourite of mine, it’s always been something that’s quite special to take part in and it’s produced some of my best races in recent events."

Follow the English Alpine Championships on the Snowsport England Facebook page and get live updates on Twitter @SnowsportEng. Full results will be available at www.snowsportengland.org.uk while you can find your nearest slope offering value-for-money GO SKI GO BOARD sessions at www.goskigoboard.org.uk