Onwards and upwards for new downhill slalom star

THE hills around south east London may be concrete but a Sidcup teenager has taken a giant leap forward in his quest to dominating the snowy slopes of Europe.

Skier Aaron Tipping, 15, has won an under-18 giant slalom title at the British Senior Skiing Championships in France.

By finishing 18th out of 54 in a strong field including senior skiers and former Olympians, Aaron was the fifth fastest British skier and he took the Gordon Skiers Trophy as the best under-18 performer.

The pupil of Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School has had troubles finishing races lately so his performance over two runs in Meribel, France, is a double delight.

He said: "I am really pleased to have finished and with my good second run time, my points should be pretty good too."

In fact Aaron achieved his best giant slalom score of the season of 68 points. Aaron's first run was not spellbinding but it was a solid base on which to build.

His second run was outstanding and he was only 1.1 seconds behind British Olympian Alain Baxter and 2.1 seconds off top spot.

Aaron, who was recently named among 120 Great Britain athletes to receive government funding from the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) 2012, experienced a new sensation during the second run which is all part of his learning.

The resident of Rowley Avenue said: "There was quite a lot of pressure on me as I get part of my training programme paid for by the TASS 2012 fund.

"I am really pleased to have given such a good performance."

Aaron has been skiing since the age of two and in 2000 enjoyed his first full season on artificial slopes.

By 2001 the teenager was living and training in France and, after recovering from a knee ligament injury sustained during the year, he won a place in the British Children's Ski Team in 2002, a position he retained to the 2004 winter season.

He has since moved up to the junior age group and been selected as only one of six skiers for the British Youth Ski team and the England Alpine Ski team.

In the English Alpine Championships, the week after Meribel, Aaron finished second in the Junior One giant slalom age group and sixth overall.

During the final week of racing this season, Aaron also competed in the Scottish FIS (International Ski Federation) Championship finishing ninth overall and as fourth best British.

This was followed by second place in the Junior One super-G and giant slalom age group at the British Junior Championships.

Aaron said: "I was a bit disappointed not to have won a title at the junior levels but the points I've scored during the season mean I start next season ranked number one in my age group in Great Britain for both giant slalom and slalom.

He added: "I want to thank all my sponsors without whom none of this would be possible. They are listed on my website, tipping.org.uk"

They include Parkwood Leisure, Blackmore Heath Insurance Brokers in Sittingbourne and SnowSport GB for nominating him for the TASS 2012 scholarship.

As part of the scholarship scheme Aaroon and his fellow nominees, between the ages of 11 and 24, have been helped to fulfil their sporting potential to the tune of £10,000.

Aaron, who is the current Czech Republic National Champion, said: "You can't believe how much this funding will help.

"I have to train and study in France during the winter months which is very expensive, this award will let me get the coaching and training I need to compete with the Alpine nations."

Together with his parents, Geoff and Sandra, Aaron was invited to Nottingham University to meet other athletes on the 2012 scheme as well as past Olympians and representatives from the British Olympic Association and the English Institute of Sport.

Aaron, said: "The day was really amazing.

"We met Leon Taylor, the British Olympic diving silver medallist, watched the Olympic Bid videos for the 2012 games and met other young and talented people who are all hoping to reach the winter Olympics in 2010 as well as the summer games."