The cream of Britain's alpine ski racers head to Saalbach-Hinterglemm next week (14-18 Jan 2002) to the National Ski Championships, which should prove the ultimate send off for Britain's strongest ever Olympic team heading to Salt Lake City.

It is the perfect platform for the likes of Alain Baxter, Emma Carrick-Anderson and Chemmy Alcott to prove their form before they head off to Utah.

The downhills will run on Saalbach-Hinterglemm's newly modified Zwolferkogel track, just four days after the Women's World Cup there. As the the classic Kitzbuhel Hahnenkamm takes place over the closing weekend it is hoped that some of the men's World Cup stars will use the event to prepare for Kitzbuhel's 'Combined' event. This would help British competitors gain FIS ranking points.

Favourite for the overall British titles are Finlay Mickel the leading British downhiller with a superb 25th in Val d'Isere already this season. A past winner of the Downhill, Super G and, in 2000, the overall title, Mickel skis three disciplines well.

The women's title favourite will be Chemmy Alcott who skis all four disciplines and who will be bidding for a Top 10 in the Olympic combined.

Defending champion Emma Carrick-Anderson and Alain Baxter are scheduled to ski their speciality technical events only.

Some of the younger skiers will be pushing their senior counterparts hard. Both Gareth Trayner and Noel Baxter (20) have been hard on Alain's heels. Last year Noel beat his elder brother on at least one occasion.

All skiers who are being considered for Olympic selection are scheduled to compete: Alain Baxter (27), Finlay Mickel (24), Gareth Trayner (21), Ross Green (25), Emma Carrick-Anderson (26) and Chemmy Alcott (19). Final selection will shortly be announced by the British Olympic Association.

The 2002 British Land National Ski Championships

MON 14 JAN
The British Land FIS Super G

TUE 15 JAN
The British Land FIS Giant Slalom

WED 16 JAN
The British Land FIS Downhill Training x 2

THU 17 JAN
The British Land FIS Senior Downhill

FRI 18 JAN
The British Land FIS Slalom

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