Varsity Match 2009

Amidst the end-of-term antics, the ski resort of Tignes also played host to the annual Varsity ski races. Despite delays to proceedings, ironically due to snowfall, the 87th year of racing saw exciting races between 10 teams of Oxbridge students. Ultimately, it was to be the underdogs Cambridge who roared the loudest, claiming the coveted Men’s Blue’s trophy for the first time since 2004.

With the ferocious Catherine Pelton commanding me to be male race captain, the daunting task proved to be most rewarding. After hours of training, time-trials and preparation, the racing got underway on Tuesday afternoon. The Cambridge Blues were confirmed to have not only the stronger vocal support, but also the stronger nerves, with many of the Oxford male First team not being able to match the pressure they faced. The slalom saw creditable performances by Jamie Pleydell-Bouverie and Jeremy Hulse, but the real star of the proceedings was Pete Calvert. Calvert's calm consistency paid dividends, translating into success in the following day’s races, finishing almost eight seconds clear of his nearest rival; proceeding to reclaim the overall individual trophy, making it two wins in three years for the final-year CompSci from Trinity. Yet it was not only veteran Calvert that ensured victory for the Blues team, with strong performances from Pleydell-Bouverie once again, and Jim Pockson showing himself to be a master in the speedier discipline of the Giant Slalom. Wednesday morning saw the lead established on the previous day’s slalom course comfortably defended, easing the Cambridge First team to be pronounced victorious over a deflated Oxford. The Men’s 3rds produced an outstanding, winning team performance, with many of its members performing a long way above expectation. Noteworthy is Jamie Salter, who managed to finish comfortably in the top ten competitors overall in his first Varsity race, heading the Cambridge Third’s to glory.

Unfortunately the success of the men’s First and Third teams was not replicated elsewhere in the races. Oxford’s women benefited from having a star Canadian skier amongst their numbers within their First squad. Even in the face of this talent, the Cambridge women managed to put up a worthy challenge, with Clair Brunner and Katie Salter proving to be steady competitors in both days of skiing. The gem of the Cambridge women’s ski teams, though, was the Cambridge race captain, Pelton. The New Hall second-year was able to lead by example, producing solid performances in every single race, and managing to claim a trophy of her own for her prowess in the faster Giant Slalom. Both the men’s and women’s seconds found creditable performances in the shape of Emerick Derian, Tim Johanson and Larissa Normanton, yet consistency proved to get the better of both teams.

The racing produced a mixed bag of results for Cambridge, including the usual tension and surprises that have become accepted as typical to the Varsity ski races. In light of the dominance of Oxford in recent years, Cambridge rose to the challenge, and it was the light blues who flew back triumphant to Heathrow with the greatest smiles.

— Edward Gardener

Slalom, GS, Overall