Displaying items by tag: ISSSC

As a leading provider of specialist ski insurance, MPI supports several events which have a charity element or foster a spirit of competition.

One hundred and eighty young British skiers from 12 independent schools are heading for Les Deux Alpes this month for five days of intensive snowsport.

They are taking part in the Independent Schools Ski and Snowboard Championships (ISSSC) – and MPI Brokers will again be there as a sponsor of the annual event, from 14 to 20 December.

Event Director Linley Lewis says the number of participants is similar to last year’s figure, but the overall event is bigger as it has been extended from four to five days.

“The skiers will have two days’ training to fine-tune their technique before three days of competitive skiing, with a day each for giant slalom, individual slalom and parallel team slalom races,” he says.

The events are mixed and open to skiers aged from eight to 18, and many participants return several times during their schooldays.

Linley Lewis says: “It is great to see them developing as skiers, and as people. In addition to having a lot of fun, the experience helps set them up for many future years of enjoyable skiing – whether competitive or purely recreational.”

One former ISSSC participant, Sam Todd-Saunders – a five-times winner for Hurst College in Sussex – has gone on to become a FIS-recognised Alpine racer.

ISSSC was first staged in 2006 by the ski training organisation Basecamp – which, since 2010 has been part of Linley Lewis’s gap-year travel business, the Ticket to Ride Group.

“We were already in touch with MPI Brokers, through its sister company Mind The Gap Year. MPI is a leading provider of ski insurance, so it was logical to invite it to sponsor ISSSC,” he says.

MPI Managing Director Michael Pettifer who, like Linley Lewis, is a long-time keen skier, will also be on skis at ISSSC.

He says: “I first skied at nine and was fortunate to do a lot of skiing during my teens. It is good to see today’s youngsters getting expert help and the opportunity to practise their skills in a competitive environment. They will be well set up to enjoy the mountains through their adult lives, as I have.”