BROTHER and sister duo Reuben and Freya Marsh took to the podium in Hemsedal Norway last week, beating numerous other athletes in the Alpine Nordic Championships run by the Danish Ski Association.

This is the first time Reuben and Freya have taken part in an international ski race, having competed in the English Alpine Championships in Italy and summer indoor races at the Chill Factore, having only recently switched to snow.

Freya remarked that it was good to race against clubs from other countries to see how they compared.

St Helens Star:

Reuben and Freya began racing at Pendle Ski club, a dry ski slope in Lancashire where Britain's number one slalom racer Dave Ryding developed his skills.

More recently they both joined UNIQ snowsports, an alpine ski club where they both attend Alpine training camps throughout the year including Austria, Norway, Italy and Switzerland.

Freya, who is in Y5 at Eccleston Mere, earned a gold in both the giant slalom and slalom in the Under 12 girls category over the two days of racing but excelled in the slalom managing to be fastest U12 overall.

St Helens Star:

Reuben, who is in Y8 at Rainford High, earned a silver in the giant slalom and a gold in the slalom, coming an impressive seventh overall out of a field of over 40 boys aged between 14-18.

After Christmas, training will continue at the Chill Factore then its off to Bormio Italy for some further Alpine training and racing.

St Helens Star:

Mum Amanda, who travels with them both taking the role of ski technician, chef and driver said: "It's nice to see them both starting to earn podium spots at races like this as they are so dedicated to their training.

"They also have to keep up with their school work whilst away with both Eccleston Mere Primary and Rainford High School supporting them during training camps abroad.

"It certainly isn't an easy ride on these camps with fitness sessions in between early race training sessions and schooling but the hard work is paying off."