As a growing 13-year-old boy, Suffolk skier George Black is learning to make use of his ever-increasing power down the piste.

The teen flyer is readying himself for a trip to Bormio as he looks to take on the English Alpine Skiing Championships for what will be the second year running for the Bury St Edmunds native.

And with Black set to compete across all disciplines in Italy – slalom, giant slalom and Super-G – he is beginning to reap the rewards from his increasing physical power down the slopes.

“I’ve got a lot stronger recently and have built more muscles,” he said.

“I feel I’m more focused and as a second year U14 you have more strength and are bigger. The extra strength has enabled me to use my skills to win those races.

“I want to keep the medals going up. I’m looking forward to it because it’s one of the two big meetings of the season.

“I’m looking forward to some good competition. In the smaller races earlier in the season there are not as many people, but I was still able to compare myself to some good people.”

The English Alpine Skiing 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 will begin on February 17.

And while Ryding – who recently claimed silver at the Alpine Skiing World Cup event in Oslo – is an inspiration for Black, he is keen to plough his own furrow, at least in a stylistic sense.

“I’m hoping to get quite far in all the competitions. I enjoy having my own technique and not copying others. I like having my own style on the slopes,” he continued.

“I like slalom a lot. I like the technical bits, moving my feet a lot is more fun.

“I started with Thierry (Colas – Black’s coach) in August and it’s really helped me. Especially over Christmas. He has improved my technique, I have more skill when I’m moving quickly.

“It’s fun to go somewhere different and compete against other internationals to see where I am in the world.”

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