ALTON College student Alex Scarborough will represent Great Britain at the 11th Special Olympics World Winter Games in Schladming, Austria next month.

He will compete in the Alpine Skiing category in both slalom and Super G.

Alex has been skiing since the age of 10 when he went on a school trip and was instantly hooked. He trains once a week on the dry slope at Alpine Snowsports, Aldershot and goes on family ski trips every year, visiting Italy, France, Germany, Austria or, as he says, “wherever there is good snow.”

Alex, who is going on the Alton College ski trip to Fiesch, Switzerland during half-term, as he did last year, has competed in national finals before and is excited to be given the chance to compete on the world stage. “I’m a little bit nervous,” he admitted, “but I’m extremely focussed and will channel my nervous energy into racing to the best of my ability. I love skiing, as there are no limits and it is such an adrenalin rush.”

He added: “I’m extremely proud to be representing my country and hope to have the chance to do it again in the future.”

Alex, who was formerly at Freemantles School near Woking, is currently studying Business and IT at Alton College and aims to continue skiing after completing his education.