Two teams of skiers from Beechwood Park School, Markyate, competed in the SATIPS (Support and Training in Prep Schools) national ski championships competition at the Snow Centre, the indoor snow slope, Hemel Hempstead on May 10.

Beechwood's team of U11 girls took the award for top team (best in the country) and Anna Henderson also won the individual U11 girls' competition.

This award has previously been won by Chemmy Alcott, Great Britain's current Olympic skier, so watch this space!

Team member Beatrice Barder came third overall in the U11 age group and Katie Robinson only just missed out on the podium, finishing fourth overall. On her first run, the fourth team member, Olivia Turner-Gulbransen, came 15th.

"Given that this is a national competition for prep schools, this is an outstanding achievement," said team coach Oliver Bullock, Beechwood's Chaplain and Head of Boarding, who is also a qualified ski instructor. "The girls all skied superbly and thoroughly deserved their win."

Meanwhile Beechwood's U14 boys team (comprising Alexander Shaper, Jamie Holt, Felix Terrell, Freddie Silva) put in some sound performances negotiating the special slalom gates in times ranging from 15 to 17 seconds, and ended up in ninth position.

Their team manager, Headmaster, Patrick Atkinson, commented "Our boys have been great ambassadors for Beechwood. During the warm up, when other competitors took a tumble they were often to be seen collecting skis and sticks and helping fellow competitors to their feet and this is what sportsmanship is all about. I am very proud of both our teams' performances. The girls' success is all the more remarkable as the team consists of girls from a year group that has fielded teams for a variety of sports competing at national level."