Four-time Olympian Chemmy Alcott insists Kingston’s Darcie Mead’s mental toughness marks her out as one to watch at this week’s Delancey British National Alpine Ski Championships, writes Pippa Field.

Mead – a former Surbiton High School pupil – turned heads two years ago when she became the youngest ever British national champion at the age of 16.

The 18-year-old had a slow start to this season following hand surgery in the summer but she was back representing Great Britain at last week’s Junior World Ski Championships in Norway, with her best result coming via a 38th-place finish in the slalom.

And Alcott believes Mead, crowned English slalom and giant slalom champion in February, will be right in the mix when it comes to topping the time sheets at the British Championships in Tignes today.

“I’ve always been interested in Darcie’s career in that we went to the same school and we kind of followed the same pathways when we were younger,” said Alcott, who was speaking in her role as Ski Club of Great Britain ambassador.

“She took a different step this year and worked on a programme where she wasn’t fully focused on her, which meant she could enjoy the sport a little more.

“With Darcie, I just want to see her fulfil her potential and commit to it because in her head she’s a very immensely strong racer, she just needs a few more starts.

“There will be a good battle definitely between Charlie Guest,Darcie Mead and Cara Brown.

“I think Cara and Darcie in the speed disciplines, now that I’m out the way, they want those titles, but I think it’s nice so many are fighting for that silverware.”

Not only does this year see Alcott out of the competitive picture – the 32-year-old will instead be taking on the world’s toughest ski race, the Arctic Circle Race this weekend to raise money for Ski 4 Cancer – but the venue has also been changed for the first time in over a decade, with Tignes now playing host to the event instead of Meribel.

But Alcott insists the competition will still be as fierce as Britain’s skiers bid to finish their campaign on a high.

“It’s a really nice way to end the season to be around all your peers and to have a good old British battle,” she added.

“At this stage of the season, everyone is quite tired and lethargic so to have something that they enjoy and look forward to, is always a great way to look forward to.

“I think it’s fun that they’ve changed the venue. Tignes is a really fun hill. It’s not flat and easy, the British has always been somewhere challenging and I think it shows our future stars how hard they need to work in order to get near the best.

“It was very tough sending the trophies back the other day but I’m sure the British skiers will provide plenty of highlights this year.”

*Chemmy Alcott is an ambassador for the Ski Club of Great Britain, the UK’s biggest snowsports membership club offering benefits and services to those who enjoy skiing and snowboarding. For more info visit: skiclub.co.uk