POOLE'S Callum Ross admitted his desperation for a positive result had spurred him to a stunning podium finish at the 2017 English Alpine Championships in Bormio on Thursday.

The 13-year-old had been underwhelmed with his performances in the slalom and giant slalom disciplines, but was in his element for the speedy Super-G race on the Italian resort’s fearsome Stelvio piste.

Ross, who studies at Bournemouth Collegiate School, finished second behind the in-form Jack Upton after a blistering run and was just 0.26 seconds from topping the podium despite having to start later in the race when the course was more rutted.

And with one more Super-G race to come this week, he is confident he can pull off another positive result to end the championship on a high.

“The Super G course was still in good condition, even with my late bib number, so I just went for it,” said Ross, who trains with the British Ski Academy.

“I hadn’t had the results I had wanted so really wanted to do well in this event and get a (positive) result.

“I haven’t had much luck in all the other Super-Gs. I haven’t actually completed any of them before so I was really pleased.

“I really needed a good result to get my FIS points down before the British Championships in April.

“It was good experience and I am glad I finished and hope to do the same in the final race. I wasn’t nervous before the race, I just charged it.”

The championships are celebrating their 10th year in Bormio, with more than 400 of the country’s most talented skiers – ranging from under-10s to senior racers – flocking to the Italian resort to battle it out for the coveted English titles.

Most of Britain’s most revered racers of recent times competed in the championships during the early stages of their careers, including four-time Olympian Chemmy Alcott and current racers Cara Brown and Dave Ryding.

Ryding is enjoying the season of his career so far, with the 29-year-old consistently inside the top 10 on the slalom circuit and becoming only the second British man to achieve a World Cup alpine podium at the Kitzbühel slalom last month.

And having competed at the championships between 2003 and 2007, claiming the English slalom title in his final year, Ryding believes that, for the likes of Ross, the competition is a vital stepping stone.

“I have always targeted specific races as goals during the season, depending on the level I was at that particular time,” he said.

“When I was in my teens, the English Alpine Championships meant absolutely everything to me and, at the time, I valued it on par with how I value the World Cup events now.

“I did everything I could to do as well as I could and it was a great stepping stone to how I will be valuing the world champs in a week's time.”

Follow the English Alpine Championships on the Snowsport England Facebook page and get live updates on Twitter @SnowsportEng.

Full results will be available at www.snowsportengland.org.uk while you can find your nearest slope offering value-for-money GO SKI GO BOARD sessions at www.goskigoboard.org.uk