Success on the slopes

The Preparatory School ski team had one of its most successful seasons ever in 2023, with some significant individual and team results, including Fastest Girl, Boy, and Team titles at multiple events.

The Middle Syndicate has made a big contribution to the team effort, with 13 out of 30 team members being Year 4–6 students. Year 6 teacher, Lori Haisty, took over the management of the team in 2022, following the retirement of Art Specialist, Pip Dinsenbacher, who managed it for several years. “I’m thrilled with the results. We have some brilliant young skiers from Years 0–8 in the Preparatory School who are already training most weekends. It’s great to have them represent the school as well.”

Lori is a passionate skier and snowboarder herself and has enjoyed being on the slopes with the children at the various events. “It’s great to spend time with the children in a different environment. We’ve encouraged quite
a few of our more social skiers to join the team this year and they’ve done really well.”

Two Middle Syndicate stars of the team are Alessandria Greer (Year 4) who was the Overall Fastest Girl in her age group, and the fastest of all Year 1–8 skiers, at the both ISSA Schools’ Ski Race at Porters Ski Area and the Primary and Intermediate Schools’ Ski Race at Mt Cheeseman; and her sister Isabelle (Year 6) who regularly won her age group events and was the fastest of all Year 1–8 skiers at the team’s final competition at Cardrona. The girls teamed up with their sister, Francesca Greer (Year 3) and Luke Russell (Year 5) to win the fastest Co‑Ed team in their age group at Porters Ski Area. The three sisters won the same event at Mt Cheeseman with Rhys Seath (Year 6) and Archer Bryant (Year 4), and with Archer Bryant at Cardrona.

At the South Island Giant Slalom Championships at Mt Hutt, Alessandria Greer won the U10 event, and Francesca Greer won the U8 event. Alessandria and Isabella Greer have also won three National Schools’ titles between them this year.

Alessandria Greer says she has been skiing since she was 18 months old, and entered her first competitive race in 2021, when she was in Year 2. She is excited about her results this year and enjoys being part of the Preparatory School ski team. “It’s good because we get to see our friends when we are competing and that helps to take my mind off it if I get a bit nervous about racing.”

Lori says the ski team offers many opportunities for students, particularly from the Junior and Middle Syndicates, who have fewer opportunities to travel with their sports. “We have an awesome team environment. The older students help the little ones, and we get great help from parents, who also enjoy getting to know each other at the events. Everyone supports each other and makes some new friends along the way.”