A north-east teenager has put his ski slope on the map by smashing a Guinness World Record previously held south of the border.
Freestyle skier Rob Wilkinson set a new world record for the highest jump on an artificial quarter pipe at the Aberdeen Snowsports Centre at Garthdee.
Mr Wilkinson, 18, of Aberdeen – who is also a trainee skiing instructor at the centre -was hitting the slopes in Austria yesterday, where he said he was still coming to terms with the “crazy” notion of setting a world record.
The teen had attempted the feat along with fellow city freestyle skier Grant Donald on October 18 last year, with Mr Wilkinson reaching a height of 11ft 2ins.
The pair battled strong gales at the quarter pipe, situated at the base of the centre’s central 262ft slope.
The previous record – 9ft 4ins – was set by English professional skier, Tyler Harding, at Rossendale Ski Slope, in Lancashire, two years ago.
And to add insult to injury, the new holder carried out the feat on Mr Harding’s 18th birthday.
Mr Wilkinson said: “I’m super pleased with our efforts, the wind made it tough, as it didn’t leave much margin for error. If you get blown away from the quarter pipe 3m (9.8ft) up, it’s going to hurt.
“As soon as I landed it, I was thinking ‘that was big’. Nevertheless, I’m really stoked with the result – it’s crazy to think that I now actually hold a world record.”
The centre’s management were also revelling in the news – which they hope will shine a light on winter sports as the summer season approaches.
Marketing manager at Aberdeen Snowsports Centre, Adam Senior – who organised the Guinness World Record attempt with Zoe Lewis – said: “It’s great that we have been able to take it up to the north and Rob was super happy. We operate all year round, I am hoping news of the release will encourage people to come down and have a go at skiing.”
He added that he hoped the feat would shine a light on the freestyle skiers and snowboarders training on the artificial slope, some of whom compete in national competitions.
Mr Senor added: “The things that Rob and Grant are doing are completely achievable.”