NORFOLK skier Tommy Dade is desperate to put on a show as he prepares to end his English Alpine Skiing Championships experience at his current age-group.

The 15-year-old from Thurne is all set for his last year as an U16 alpine skier, with a chance to end in a flourish when he takes to the slopes of Bormio later this month.

The Northern Italy piste has become a home away from home for the promising teenager, with the out-of-competition experience just as enjoyable as the racing in his many years at the competition to date.

“It’s been a fairly successful competition for me down the years,” explained the Acle Academy student.

“At under 12s I got in top positions, but over the years it’s got harder and I’ve started meeting new people and getting lower ranks.

“But I’ve still done well in the age group categories and I came around a top ten finish in the last few years.

“It’s run really in Bormio and it’s very organised. When we started we raced just across the border, but it’s a competition I always look forward to.

“It’s such a nice event, good company and great competition which makes it great every year.

“I want to try and come in the top ten or maybe top eight. I am in the last year at Under 16s so I want to do well this year.”

The Championships, where Olympian Dave Ryding started his career before competing in the World Cup, is one of the biggest annual competitions in the skiing calendar.

And for an athlete in Dade who tried to ski before he could even walk, second-nature barely scratches the surface of his love affair with the sport.

Now Dade is looking towards taking his experience to the next level, with Olympic Games and World Cup skiing an exciting challenge to aim for as his skiing career gathers velocity.

“I remember pictures of me between my dad’s legs and him helping me to ski. I don’t think I could barely walk. I’ve been skiing ever since I can remember,” added Dade, who will compete in slalom and giant slalom when the event gets under way on February 17.

“The season has been going really well. The Welsh was the first Alpine race I’ve done so far and I bombed out on the GS but got a win on the Slalom.

“I really want to get to the Youth Olympics in either Alpine or Ski-Cross. I am training hard for both of them, but I’m keeping my hopes up for the future.

“To pull on GB colours would really mean a lot to me and it would be so cool to represent my country and ski against new people in other countries.”

Snowsport England is the national governing body for skiing and snowboarding in England, aiming to inspire as many people as possible to try snow sports. Find out more about Snowsport England’s affiliated clubs, athletes, competitions, coaching and campaigns here: www.snowsportengland.org.uk