Ski star Alice Bond carried a broken thumb all the way to the top of the podium as she was crowned under-10 parallel slalom champion at the English Alpine Skiing Championships

The Championships, one of the biggest annual events in the skiing calendar, was the launchpad for Dave Ryding’s career before he went on to World Cups.

Bond is one of 440 athletes have descended on Bormio, Italy, for six days of riveting racing in pitch-perfect piste conditions across super-G, giant slalom and slalom disciplines.

The Downs School pupil emerged on top after seeing off all comers in a white-hot knockout slalom competition, a series of five races, on the Stella Alpina piste.

The 9-year-old was over the moon with a result gained while carrying an injury sustained in Flaine, France while admitting the sheer speed she was travelling at gave her a fright.

“In the seeding I got three on the first run and four on the second run but that was a good thing in the end because it meant I went on the blue run. I think it’s better,” she said.

“I was so scared going down there – I was worried my opponent would go past me at the finish.

“I managed not to look at what she was doing and kept looking straight to the front.

“I’m amazed to win with a broken thumb. I’ve had a great week in Bormio.”

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: http://www.snowsportengland.org.uk