Thursday 21st January, 2010

Out to impress: RGU skier Barron is aiming for a place in the British Winter Olympic Games team.

ROBERT Gordon University student Peter-James (PJ) Barron hopes to stake his claim for a place in the British Winter Olympic Games team by impressing in the under-23 world ski championship this weekend in Germany.

The Huntly skier will compete in three races at the FIS under-23 world Nordic skiing championship in Hinderzarten, south-west Germany, from January 24 to 31.

While he is abroad, he will be waiting for the announcement of the Olympic team for Vancouver, which is due to be made next Tuesday.

He will take part in the skate sprint, the 15 kilometer classic time trial and 30 kilometer pursuit despite admitting he has concerns about the pursuit race due to his recent recovery from a knee ligament injury.

Barron, 20, said: “I aim to show my best performance in the classic time trial races as the damage I've suffered has affected my ability to train for the longer distance events.

“I feel that I have had a great training programme and I'm particularly looking forward to the time trial and the 30k pursuit race as I really enjoy mass-start racing."

A keen cyclist and swimmer, Barron was introduced to cross-country skiing by friends and, at 13, joined the Huntly junior development squad.

His interest and skill continued to grow, leading him to join the British Nordic development squad where he began competing and representing the UK and Ireland in a string of international events.

Read more: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1559896?UserKey=#ixzz0dF6rNjrF