See this section for...
Gad's Pupils Set Sights on Olympic Glory
The 13-year-olds were having a winning weekend at the England Schools’ Dry Slope Skiing Finals in Stoke back in October when they were spotted by a scout from the English Schools’ Ski Association (ESSKIA) who subsequently invited the boys to train with the squad in Geilo, Norway.
Austin and Morgan first took up skiing on snow at the age of four on a family holiday to France with their parents– and now their ambition is to compete in the Winter Olympics.
Morgan said: “We took part in ski schools while on holiday and were trained by a former French National Ski Team member, Francine Rolland, who introduced us to racing and we really got the bug for it.”
Austin added: “Each year we returned, we got better and moved up a competition level and then were encouraged to take part in races at school by our PE teacher, Mr. Ray Jelfs.
“We’ve loved competing and are really happy to be going to Norway – I think we’ve done really well for our age, and it’s really good that I can go with my brother.”
Sporting success runs in the Rhodes family, as the boys Dad, Ian, was chosen to compete in sailing competition during both the Atlanta and Barcelona Olympics.
They are now keen to replicate their Dads’ success and hope that their week away from school will help them to realise their Olympic dream.
However, it’ll be no picnic! On the 4th February the pair will embark on a grueling program of physical and mental training to prepare them for competition skiing in the small slalom, slalom and giant slalom disciplines.
As part of their training, they will be taught to look after their skis on the slopes - carrying two pairs with them at all times – including how to sharpen them and will take part in a number of endurance tests, such as running 5k, in temperatures as low as -18 degrees.
The boys, from Detling, who are among the youngest in the training group, will be expected to continue their training when they return to their hotel from the slopes, packing in swimming, weight training and gym work to improve their body strength and performance.
Morgan said: “I love the adrenaline rush you get from doing the giant slalom and would love to think that my brother and I could make Team GB.”