Erika puts skiing career on ice

SADDLEWORTH’S Erika Heginbotham admits her skiing career will be put to one side over the next two months as the winter sport gives way to... exam season.

The speed events made way for the technical disciplines at Tignes after a start to the Delancey British National Alpine Ski Championships which saw some of Britain’s brightest talents prosper.

Heginbotham is one such budding Briton. The teenager mixed it with the best in the giant slalom.

Her aggregate time of 2:14.29 minutes may not have been enough to put her in medal contention, but at 16, time is on Erika’s side.

The Crompton House School pupil concedes skiing must now take second place in her list of priorities – for a short while at least.

She said: “The second run felt much better than my first one – it felt faster and cleaner so I was happy.

“I think my Giant Slalom was better than the results I had in the first two days. I’ve been getting more used to the piste.

“I need to concentrate on my exams now. I’ve got A-levels coming up so skiing won’t be the priority.

“I’ve tried to do a bit of revision while I’ve been out here – I’ve got them (exams) in June so hopefully they will go well.”