Skier Eaton chasing another title

But while he admits he would like nothing more than to once again head home with a gold medal around his neck, the Warwickshire skier knows that is easier said than done.

“I think for most people the English Alpine Championships are their favourite event, and I am no different,” said Eaton, who is a member of the English Alpine Under-21 Squad and the British Ski and Snowboard Development Group.

“It’s because there are lots of people there and it is good to see all your competitors in one place and see where you are and compare against the rest.

“And last year’s was particularly good because I won the under-21 Super G title which was good because it is such a hard category and I was obviously younger then too.

“So I am returning to Bormio definitely looking to defend my title. There will be some older guys looking to beat me and I will be the one to beat but that is part of it when you are defending champion.

“There are guys like Max Baggio, who did well at the British Championships last year, Robert Poth who I will need to watch out for — there are a few good

guys who will be there.”

Preparations for the defence of his title could have gone better for Eaton who had to contend with a lack of snow at the back of 2015.

But now that Mother Nature has been kinder the teenager can’t wait to be back at the English Alpine Championships.

“This season has been quite tough because we didn’t have much snow at the beginning,” Eaton added.

“But it has been much better of late and I have managed to go to a few training camps out in Norway so things have been much easier and better.”

Follow the English Alpine Championships, organised by Snowsport England, via www.englishalpinechamps.org.uk or @SnowsportEng on Twitter. Want to get into skiing or snowboarding? Find your nearest slope offering value-for-money GO SKI GO BOARD sessions at www.goskigoboard.org.uk