Every year Columba College enters a number of teams in the annual Otago Southland Secondary Schools Snowsports Championships.

This event is always so much fun and an amazing learning opportunity for advanced skiers and snowboarders to learn more about racing, and to continue to improve on their skills. It provides a fun day up the mountain at Cardrona, and allows our Snowsport athletes to compete and share a day filled with competition, camaraderie, success and probably the odd wipe out! Last year we had around 15 keen skiers and snowboarders compete in this competition and Columba’s Skiers achieved some top results and medals. Events during these Snowsports Championships include ‘Ski Individual Banked Slalom’ and ‘Ski Individual Slopestyle’ and the ‘Snowboard Individual Banked Slalom’ and ‘Snowboard Individual Slopestyle.’ One of our star ski racers here at Columba is Liberty Vile. Since competing in this popular event, she has claimed top placings every year. Liberty has trained and ski raced over in America, and Columba College is very fortunate to have Liberty in our team. Liberty is someone who is able to help us all learn more about racing and racing techniques.

Girls are competing from Year 9 to Year 13 and it is so awesome to see different ages and year levels bonding and supporting each other on the snow. Competing against schools from the Wakatipu region, many of which have very strong skiers and racers, means there is always plenty of competition. It is great to see everyone putting in 100% effort and coming together for a well-deserved hot chocolate at the end of a day competing on the snow!

Laura Hamilton

Skiing Captain