BRITISH skier Sarah Woodward won her first medal at a senior national event in the Delancey British Alpine Skiing Championships in Tignes on Thursday.

The 16-year-old from Odiham, Hampshire, claimed bronze in the ladies’ Slalom event with a combined time of 1:34.40 over two runs in the French Alps.

The British Championships, which run from 25th March to 6th April, mark one of the biggest events in the British Alpine skiing calendar and provides the chance to see Olympians Dave Ryding, Laurie Taylor, Alex Tilley and Charlie Guest take to the snow.

The best up and coming racers from the Delancey U21 and U18 squads will also have the chance to shine, including the promising Woodward.

“It’s quite a big experience for me to be able to do, it’s a massive step up from kids,” said the teenager.

“I’ve really enjoyed my season so far and I’ve been quite pleased with the results I had.

“Lots of ups and downs, but overall I think I’ve come to the British Champs with a lot of confidence and I’m happy with where I am.

“Another podium would be great but it takes a lot of determination and I don’t know if I will ski like I know I can ski, to get a score, a PB, that would be really good.”

Having first skied in the French Alps when she was only four years old, Woodward started training at Aldershot Dry Slope before joining Ambition Ski Racing Club to pursue a career in the sport.

Now at her first British Championships as an adult racer, she is loving the experience of competing ta the highest level she can.

“It’s a great atmosphere and it’s always nice to race the other British athletes to see how you’ve come along in the season” she said.

“There’s a couple of girls in the British team that hadn’t previously been in it, so it’s nice to compare to them and see how I fare and push myself harder. It means a lot to be here and race well.

“It is really cool to be surrounded by a load of good skiers that have just been to the Olympics and racing them as well today like Charlie, so it’s a great experience.”

To follow the progress of the Delancey British Alpine Ski Team visit teambss.org.uk or follow @teambss on Twitter. As Principal Sponsor of British Ski and Snowboard, specialist real estate investment and advisory company Delancey is proud to be able to provide British athletes with the support they require to win World Cup and Winter Olympic medals. For more information visit www.delancey.com