LYMINGTON skiing prodigy Sophie Stocker finished the English Alpine Championships on a high on day five, taking sixth place in the giant slalom to record her best result of the week.

Stocker is just 12 years old but already one of the best young skiers in the country and has been competing against her rivals this week at the Championships in Italy, sponsored by Rossignol.

The competition is into its 22nd year and features many young skiers who aim to go on to be the Olympians of the future, with Stocker punching above her weight this week in the Under-14s category.

The young skier has competed in four events this week, not finishing the slalom and one of the Super G races, but finishing 22nd in Monday’s Super G and now an excellent sixth in the GS.

After her first GS run Stocker was placed 11th amongst 44 racers, but shook off her nerves on her second run to record the second-fastest time in the field to take her up to sixth.

“I think I was 11th on the first run and second on the other run,” said Stocker, who races for the British Ski Academy.

“I think the first run I was a bit hesitant to let go and just commit, which I’m a bit annoyed about but it made me realise in the second run that I can actually finish.

“I’m going to learn from that this week and not get nervous in future. It’s been really fun to ski and I’m now just really excited for next year.”

Inspired by the performances at the 2018 English Alpine Championships and PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games? Find out more on how to get involved in skiing and snowboarding through Snowsport England's national grassroots participation campaign at www.goskigoboard.org.uk