FRIENDLY competition and rivalry is keeping an up-and-coming Forth Valley skier on the slopes as she looks forward to her final year as a junior competitor.

Christina Dow was in Andorra last month to compete for Team GB in U16 for the first time and is looking forward to the upcoming World School Games in Turkey this month.

The 15-year-old Dollar Academy pupil, who lives in Kippen, is competing at the junior level for one last year before moving up to the International Ski Federation (ISF).

While she suffered misfortune in the super-G, Christina performed well in the slalom and helped Team GB earn third place at the International Trofeu Borrufa ski races in January.

Christina told Advertiser Sport: "It felt great to be there as part of the GB team and for me it was a first.

"I knew the other team members through the race circuit, but it was different being with them as opposed to the Scottish team.

"My Scotland coach Christy McKinnon was there as part of the coaching team which was great.

"The super-G [super giant slalom] races were all cancelled due to lack of snow and that is one of my favourite and best disciplines, so I was disappointed not to compete in that. However, there was a slalom and a GS [giant slalom]."

SLALOM: Dollar Academy pupil Christina Dow was in Andorra as part of Team GB - Pictures courtesy of @Trofea_borrica

SLALOM: Dollar Academy pupil Christina Dow was in Andorra as part of Team GB - Pictures courtesy of @Trofea_borrica

The slalom went well and although Christina made a big mistake on her second run, she still came 18th out of around 60 entering and she was "happy enough".

The giant slalom saw some misfortune with a gate judge on the race line on her first run.

She did get a re-run amid worsening conditions and was unlucky to crash at the same gate.

Christina strapped on the boots at an early age – indeed, she was on a pair of skis before she would blow out her first pair of birthday candles.

Dry slope lessons at Bearsden and Firpark in Tillicoultry soon followed and she is now part of Lothian Ski Racing.

Christina said: "I have always been very competitive with everyone especially sports and love pushing myself to see what I could achieve.

"I've made many lifetime friends through ski camps and races, I enjoy spending time with them and making unforgettable memories.

"At the races there is a friendly competitiveness and rivalry.

"I have worked with some really amazing coaches who are so encouraging and somehow make small changes to your style and when it is hundredths of seconds between you and the other racer it makes all the difference."