Appleton skier conquers Bormio's feared Stelvio piste

The fearsome course has sunk the very best in the sport and the 17-year-old must have feared the worst when she lost grip of her pole in the opening seconds of her slalom run.

But Potter, who trains at Chill Factore and represents Excel Race Academy, relished the challenge and clocked 52.24secs – just four seconds off the overall lead in 18th position.

“I didn’t have my best start. I came out of the start gate and I dropped my pole!” said the Warrington-born racer.

“It was dangling down right from the start, on the first gate.

“I thought to myself, I tell you what, it doesn’t matter now just go for it and I really enjoyed my run.

“I think I managed to conquer it. It was a tough fight but you’ve got to hang in there on the Stelvio no matter what.”

Potter is in the second season of competition on the FIS circuit, meaning she’s regularly figuring in international fields at prestigious races across the continent.

Bormio holds a special place in the heart of the teenager, who has competed at the English Championships since 2012.

More than 440 athletes have descended on the Dolomites for six days of riveting racing in perfect piste conditions across Super-G, giant slalom and slalom disciplines.

And after a strong performance in her favoured event, Potter is lapping up the atmosphere and the chance to strut her stuff in the Dolomites.

“I’m absolutely loving it, I just love racing,” she said.

“I’ve been coming here from minis age – I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve been.

“I get that buzz from the atmosphere in Bormio every year, it’s such a lovely place to come and ski.”

Snowsport England is the national governing body for skiing and snowboarding in England, aiming to inspire as many people as possible to try snow sports. Find out more about Snowsport England’s affiliated clubs, athletes, competitions, coaching and campaigns here: http://www.snowsportengland.org.uk