Gold again for Coco as St Swithun’s ski team enjoy success at the British Schoolgirls’ Ski Races

21 Feb 2013

Two ski teams from St Swithun’s School, Winchester competed in the annual British Schoolgirls’ Races in Flaine, France, at the end of January. 52 teams took part from schools across the UK and competitors included top skiers from the GB and Irish national teams.

Coco Vulliamy Taylor, age 13, from Alton, won a gold medal in her individual under 14 category and was awarded the coveted Club des Sport de Flaine cup for the second year running – an outstanding achievement. Competitors each race four times, performing two giant slalom runs and two slalom runs, with the combined score from all four runs counting towards the final placings.

St Swithun’s A team won a well-deserved bronze medal beating some of the top teams from rival schools Downe House, St Mary’s Calne and Sherborne Girls. Team members Coco Vulliamy Taylor, Alexandra Baylis, age 16, from Curdridge and Hannah Cole, age 14, from Godalming, were delighted with their performance in the face of such tough competition.

The St Swithun’s B team also skied strongly and achieved 5th place in the B team competition, beating rival teams from Cheltenham Ladies, St Mary’s Calne and St Marys Ascot. The team consisted of Georgina Baylis, age 14, from Curdridge, Natalie Harrison, age 14, from Andover, and Emma Harrison, age 15 from Andover. Natalie Cole recorded a personal best time in slalom which placed her 6th in the under 14 category.

Photo: Coco Vulliamy Taylor