Norwich ski racer Jazmine Butcher secured a podium place at the English Alpine Championships in Bormio, Italy, finishing third in the Under-18 Giant Slalom.

Butcher has been racing all over the Alps this winter and has competed in 27 races so far this season.

After a break back in Norwich, the 17-year-old returns this week to compete in a further 16 races including the British Championships and French Nationals Giant Slalom in Meribel.

According to the latest FIS (International Ski Federation) ranking, Butcher is in the top three British girls for her year of birth, which has surpassed her initial target for the season.

This is the first season for Butcher, who is a member of the England Squad, in the FIS category of alpine ski racing which has seen her take a huge step up from children's races.

In addition to her success in Bormio she has picked up some other promising results that have seen her qualify for the British Ski and Snowboard CIT squad and has helped GBR gain some very useful points in the FIS CIT Arnold Lunn World Cup tour – where she currently ranks as the fifth British female – and GBR is ranked sixth out of 41 nations, just behind Germany, but with the Italians leading the way.

When not abroad at her base where she trains with the British Ski Academy in Les Houches, near Chamonix in France, Butcher is studying for her A-levels at the Norwich School.

She has been helped by Snowfit, the Norwich specialist ski and snowboard shop in Hall Road, with a complete inventory of race skis, and also benefits from wearing Head Health Gear from Trion:Z the health and fitness bracelet company and headwear from the Big Bobble Hat Company.

Follow Butcher for the rest of the season on her website www.jazminebutcher.com or on Twitter @Jazmine_Butcher

Do you know a local youngster who has received national recognition? Contact David Freezer on 01603 772418, on Twitter @davefreezer or via email to david.freezer@archant.co.uk