Norfolk ski racer Jazmine Butcher ready to bounce back from injury in Italy

Jazmine Butcher (Image: Archant)

When the 16-year-old pushes out of the slalom start gate, it will not only be the culmination of six months of daily two-hour rehabilitation sessions, but will also signal her entry into serious competitive alpine ski racing.

It will begin her first season as a junior in the FIS (International Ski Federation), a category that has longer, steeper and faster runs, using bigger skis and can see her competing against older racers.

Butcher, who attends the Norwich School when not in the Alps training and racing, is studying for her A-levels has dedicated her life to skiing since she was seven years old.

She crashed out of a race in France towards the end of last season and damaged an anterior cruciate ligament in her knee.

A member of the England squad, Butcher last season ended her children's career as a member of the British Children's Ski Team.

She trains with the British Ski Academy, based in Chamonix in France, and spends up to 14 weeks a season on the snow and when back at school in Norwich spends at least 12 hours a week in the gym or rowing, running or cycling.

Butcher learned to ski on the dryslope of Norfolk Snowsports Club, in Trowse, and has recently helped coach some of the younger members of the Norfolk race team.

Alasdair Morton, Jazmine's coach at the British Ski Academy, said: 'Jazzy is possibly the most dedicated hardest working athlete I have been fortunate enough to work with.

'She is fully dedicated to improving all aspects of her training in order to improve her performance in competition, and shows a level of self motivation and commitment that should bring her success in any sport.'