CAMERON Pye, a Year 8 pupil at Rydal Penrhos in Colwyn Bay, recently took part in an 18-day training camp in Pila, Italy with the British Ski Academy (BSA).

The talented young skier was invited to the camp, and the school permitted him to attend the camp providing he kept up with his studies throughout his stay.

This was made easier by making use of the school’s free iPad to keep in touch with teaching staff during the three hours a day allocated to academic progress by the BSA.

Mr Pye spent the camp developing his skills on the picturesque slopes and competing against full-time ski academy athletes in the Anglo-Scottish Championships, something which brought out the very best in the pupil with an outstanding series of results in the face of stern competition.

The Year 8 skier did not finish lower than 13th in any Under-14 category, also managing to secure two top-ten finishes in the Combined Slalom and Boys Slalom Race 2.

These results should be enough to qualify for the British Championships, which will take place in Tignes, France later this year.

Mr Pye will be heading back to Italy on Saturday, 12 February with the British Ski Academy for training and more competition during the English Championships in Bormio, which is sure to be another very worthwhile experience for a skier who has developed significantly since taking up the sport as a Rydal Penrhos Prep pupil.