Snowsports Varsity Preview
By Sara Lloyd-Knibbs
If you’re looking for a unique Varsity spectator experience AND an almost guaranteed win, you
could do a lot worse than turning up for the Snowsports showdown on 4th February (all fixtures are
subject to change – keep an eye out). Forget any preconceptions about skiing and snowboarding being
the reservation of the privileged (and therefore a sure thing for our friends over at Warwick). To the
contrary, CUSS (Coventry University Snow Sports) has the rather unique bragging rights of winning
several games against the enemy!
CUSS prides itself on its welcoming, non-competitive atmosphere, with a focus on accessibility,
improving all members and fun. Currently, Snowsports is planning its second overseas trip of the
academic year (which will see 80 Coventry Students invade the tiny European nation of Andorra over the
Easter holidays). To anyone who’s ever fancied combining an adrenaline rush with playing in the snow,
getting involved in Snowsports is a great way to do so.
And if you’re still undecided after reading this, head down to the Varsity event for a great
atmosphere; more thrills, spills and potential broken limbs than you could ever imagine! Despite being a
predominantly ‘flat-land’ country with very little snow, we sure do produce some damn fine snowsports
talent. Of course, after all that excitement, you may think that becoming the next Eddie ‘the Eagle’,
Jenny Jones or Jamie Nicholls looks like far too much effort. In that case, remember that you may
already have what it takes to completely own that third core mountainside discipline: après ski. Hardcore CUSS supporters will be demonstrating their prowess in this proud tradition at Varsity (purely for
glory, no prizes are planned) and interested parties should note après training takes place weekly. See
you on the slope!
One to Watch: Ollie Powell
Notes to Photo Editor:
Above - Ollie Powell (with Cheerios) at BUDS, photo © Ross Silcocks (2014) - VIA Film & Photo Studio.
Below – Ollie Powell competing, ©Raymond Taylor (2013).
Coventry University Snow Sports have asked that their official photos taken for Varsity promotional
materials also be considered for inclusion.
A 1st Year Skier, Ollie recently placed 2nd in the UK Championships, and was unlucky not to win
BUDS 2014 in Edinburgh. Meanwhile for the boarders, top picks are Will Ture and Nathan Worcester,
whilst Amy Witaker (another skier) is considered one of our strongest female competitors representing
the Coventry girls. However, one of the great things about Snowsports is that every year it’s really all to
play for. For example, Will only took up snowboarding after joining the society here at Coventry in his
first year (2011), and is already one of our top-ranked riders.
Need to Know:
 ‘Après Ski’ – Literally ‘after ski’, the age-old tradition of enjoying a post-slope beverage;
 ‘Blades’ – Very short skis. No-one likes these. (Sorry Craddock!);
 ‘GoPro’ – Essential photographic gear for immortalising that perfect trick, that fantastic crash, or
simply taking a chairlift selfie to make all your friends back home jealous;
 ‘Jib’ – To ride/perform tricks on something other than snow, i.e. a rail, bench, steps, or
unsuspecting Warwick student;
 ‘Lid’ – Helmet. A source of contention in the snowsports world: Should they be compulsory?
(And more importantly, are they cool?!);
 ‘Pow’ – Snow, specifically ‘powder’. Skiers and snowboarders have more names for different
varieties of snow than the average Inuit, many of them mysterious. However, if you can’t figure
this one out, there’s nothing I can do to help you;
 ‘Regular’ – A snowboarder who rides with their left foot forwards (the opposite is referred to as
‘Goofy’). As with many snowboarding terms, especially tricks, this term is borrowed directly
from skateboarding slang;
 ‘Ski Shots’ – Shot glasses affixed at regular intervals along a re-purposed ski. The kind of
retirement plan all skis secretly aspire to.
Find out More:
Contact CUSS: covunisnowsports@gmail.com or tweet @CovUniSnow
Learn More: Google ‘Youtube: How to be a Skiier’ for an informative (and super-serious, honest!)
introduction to the sport.
Notes to Photo Editor: Below – Please find up-to-date CUSS logo and branding for inclusion if required.