Skiing: Youngster Jacob Dawson claims gold medal in Switzerland

The tiny hamlet of Thornton-in-Lonsdale is celebrating the return of young champion skier Jacob Dawson from the Alpine slopes after the nine year old triumphed in skiing competitions.
Jacob Dawson shows off the medals has won this year.Jacob Dawson shows off the medals has won this year.
Jacob Dawson shows off the medals has won this year.

Jacob’s potential was first noticed in 2015 while on holiday with his parents Rob and Heather, who were approched by talent spotters in Serre Chevalier in France.

On returning home, they enrolled the enthusiastic youngster into the Lions Ski Club at Snozone in Castleford and have been making the 6.5 hour round trip to weekly training sessions ever since.

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Jake rapidly progressed and made it into the race team. In February this year he went to Bormio in Italy for special tutoring with JR Ski Racing, run by British number one skiier David Ryding’s sister Jo.

There he raced for the first time in the English Alpine Championships, coming third in the giant slalom.

Earlier this month Jake went on to race at Pila in the Aosta Valley, achieving bronze in the slalom and silver in the giant slalom Artemis Inter Schools Ski Challenge.

The family then headed to Switzerland, collecting another silver medal and smashing the Under 10s boys best time to clinch the gold in the slalom.

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After a presentation ceremony at the Swiss international boarding school Aiglon College, the victorious young champion returned home and was joined by his friends from Ingleton Primary School for a celebratory party at the village pub part-owned by his parents, The Marton Arms.

His Mum, Heather Dawson, explains: “The school, family and all his friends have been really supportive of Jake’s endeavours and they are all really thrilled at his recent success on the Alpine slopes.

“He’s trained so hard and the investment in training has been a massive commitment for all of us, so it’s great to feel it’s all been worthwhile.”

Subject to funding, in May Jacob will be heading to a training camp in Landgraff, Netherlands and his next ski-ing competition will be the GBR indoor series throughout the summer where he’s hoping to build on his successful debut this season.

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