Day 4 - Race Day

The sun is already breaking through. Breakfast was great, lots of good conversations being had. Boot room time now.

"where are my boots?"

In the penultimate day of our ski time, Snow Patrol gathered to fill up on the wonderful breakfast treats. Absolute pros now on the booting up and in no time at all we were heading up the gondola. Arrived with plenty of time for a while group photo!

The whole of Snow Patrol were together for the start of the day as it was time for us to race. 

After having a smooth practice run students and staff eagerly gathered at the top of the race route. Three, two, one and off they go............some fantastic racing skills on show and a clear indicator of how much progress each and every student has made. 

However; the ultimate race was between our father and son, who would claim the title of champion between Mr Hinks and Bode Hinks (do you want the real result or the one we told Bode)?

Mr Hinks 29.52

Bode Hinks 28.17

We have our winner, just like his namesake Bode is the champ of the races. A few of the videos will be posted at the end but we will edit a larger copy to try have everyone's races shown!

Once all the race fun was done the instructors took all groups over to Paradiso area to continue working on all of the skills they have been doing so well!

The whole Snow Patrol family then enjoyed a lunch up at the paradiso. Content and full, group three and four were treated to a run down to the bottom of the gondola with our dude Mr Hinks. Lots of happy faces upon their return.

This afternoon, all groups went over Sunny Valley and groups one and two did their very first chair lift of the holiday, woo hoo! Only one pole dropped- think that has to be a record. A successful retrieval mission by Mr Hinks and Miss Lippiatt led to the pole being reunited with its rightful owner. Foggy conditions made the route quite challenging but the two groups successfully skied the beautiful red route down from the chair to the gondola. 

Group one and two getting to the highest point of Santa Caterina Resort. Low cloud is rolling off the tops.

Group 4 posing in front of the atmospheric backdrop.

Meanwhile our groups three and four had further fun over the (not so) Sunny Valley and have returned home tired but happy with all they have done.

This evening has been presentation evening. The instructors gathered at Abete Blu to award their groups with their ability cards and then go through the race rankings. A huge well done to all but a special shout out to the leaders of each group!

Here are some pictures of our winners of tonight's awards. We will post an official list on our return to the UK.

Our winners of the race in each of the groups:

Group 1: 1st Reanne; 2nd Reena, 3rd Aisha

Group 2: 1st Sanskriti, 2nd Chaniya, 3rd Eleanor

Group 3: 1st Carla, 2nd Hannah, 3rd Alys

Group 4: 1st Bode, 2nd River, 3rd Chloe(s)

After dinner it was time to pack and chill as we prepare for our final day on the slopes tomorrow. Sad it will be our last day but cannot wait for the fancy dress tomorrow.

Some videos of the racing today! More to follow!

N.B. We found a bunch of glamourous gals at the top of Santa Caterina and have named them 'Hink's Angels'