Skiing: Junior Perth racer a hot shot in Europe

Feb 9 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A 12-YEAR-OLD Perth ski racer is carving up some stiff competition on European slopes.

While training at the British Ski Academy this season in Les Houches, France, Kinnoull Hill’s Fraser Buchan has competed widely at European events and racked up a brace of impressive racing titles.

Last month the hot shot raced in Switzerland at the Welsh Championships in Champery, coming first in the giant slalom and second in the slalom, before securing two second places at the British Schoolboys Race in Meringen.

At Les Houches itself, where he trains with the Focussed Alpine Scottish Ski Training (FAST) camp, he secured third place in the giant slalom and fourth in the slalom at Anglo Scottish races.

During a flying visit home to see proud parents Andrew and Jill this week, Fraser, who started skiing at age three, told PA Sport his favourite event was the giant slalom.

“I’m no good at pure speed or technical events but giant slalom is a mixture of both so I tend to do pretty well in that, if I manage to finish,” he joked.

Back at the British Ski Academy today, he will recommence intensive training for forthcoming events, including the English Championships in Bormio, Italy, this month.

Next month he represents Scotland at the World School Races in Lavarone, Italy, and will compete at a race in Val d'Isère, France, as a member of the Children’s British Ski Team.

“He’ll be up against the best kids from across Europe so not a hope really as the French and Austrian kids have been skiing intensively all their lives, but he does stand a chance at Meribel,” said Mr Buchan.

At Meribel for a two-week FAST camp during Easter, Fraser will compete at the Scottish and British championships.

“I hope to do well in Meribel but I’ll be up there with the best,” said Fraser, who is at Les Houches skis for four hours each morning, before devoting three hours to school work.

“The other kids at the camp are friendly enough, everyone’s pretty happy, but on the slopes it’s much more competitive.”

Father Andrew credited his son – a Rannoch Bursary recipient who requires more sponsors onboard – as a determined athlete who had cut his teeth early.

“I remember being at Hillend on the dry slopes when Fraser was seven,” he said.

“He got on a pair of hire skis, entered a competition and won his age category against 15 to 20 kids.”

Fraser meanwhile has high hopes for the future.

“I hope to go as far as I can – the world cup,” he declared. “But that’s not until I’m 19 or 20 so I’ve got plenty of time to get ready.”