A Guinness World Record attempt by over 50 Schools to create the longest chain of skiers will take place on Sunday 26 of April on Trowse Mountain the home of the Norfolk Snowsports Club.

On Sunday, 26 April over 250 children from over 50 schools across East Anglia will take part in the annual Schools Ski Championship organised by Eastern Regional Snowsports Association, ERSA. This annual event enables schools to compete against each other through a variety of age groups and delivers a full day of competition and fun.

This year an attempt will be made to break the current Guinness World Record for the longest chain of skiers who have to hold hands and ski over 100 m down Trowse mountain, the name of the Norfolk ski slope. If the event is successful photographs of the competitors and potential world record holders are going to be sold to raise money for eight children's charities across the East Anglia region with the charity selection being made by the ski clubs that form the ERSA region.

Snowsports in East Anglia is growing in popularity driven in part by the Olympic successes in Sochi. East Anglia benefits from seven snow sport sites five that offer dry slopes and two that offer indoor snow. This range of facilities ensures that a high level of competition in all snowsports disciplines is being developed locally and many national titles are held by snowsport athletes from the Eastern Region.

Bernie Wright Chair of ERSA commented “this is the fourth year that we have run the schools race and the number of school participants has been steadily increasing. Throughout the summer there are numerous opportunities within the region for athletes to compete however the annual schools race adds a new dimension and opportunity to enjoy healthy competition, having great fun and with the potential of taking home trophies and medals for the school cabinet.

“With over 50 schools taking part this year our event probably ranks as one of the largest school gatherings for sport in the East of England. If we manage to set a new world record as well I’m sure it will add to the excitement of the day for all concerned and help children’s charities through our region.”

Nick Ogden, a Director of Snowsports England, the governing body for skiing and snowboarding in England added “we have a huge snowsports following in East Anglia with some of the best facilities and leading athletes in the country. We hope this record attempt will encourage more schools in the region to take participate in all the varieties of snowsports available within East Anglia”.

Notes for News Editors

The ERSA website is available at www.ersa.co.uk The SSE website is available at www.snowsportengland.org.uk

Bernie Wright can be contacted at [email protected] Nick Ogden can be contacted at [email protected] Messages for Bernie or Nick can be left at the Norfolk Snowsports Club phone no 01603 662781

Reporters and Photographers who are able attend on the day are very welcome. If required we can also provide ski’s, poles and boots so they can experience the event first hand, followed by a tea/coffee and a bacon sandwich as a reward for their courage!

Schools taking part in the ERSA schools race and the Guinness World Record attempt include: Abbot's Hill Abbot's Hill Prep Acle Acadamy High Aldwickbury All Saints Lessingham Avenues Junior Aylsham High School Bedford Mordern Berkhamsted School Boxted St. Peters CofE Catherdral School Chelmsford Cedarwood Primary Charsfield School City of Norwich School High School Colchester Royal Grammar School Copleston High School Copthill School FitzWimarc School Framingham Earl High School Framingham Earl High School Hadleigh Community Primary Hamilton Primary Heath Primary School Hethersett VC Junior School Hobart High School Holbrook Academy Howe Green House School Ipswich High School Ipswich Prep School Kirkstone House School Laxton Junior School Littlegarth Mulbarton Junior School Northgate High School Norwich School Notre Dame High Orwell Park School Rollesby Primary School

Somersham Primary School

St Albans High School for girls St Albans School St Peters Primary Stoke Holy Cross Stonham Aspal Primary School Taverham Junior The Helena Romanes School The New Eccles Hall School The Old School Hensted Town Close House Westcliff High School for Boys Woodbridge School

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