An agricultural student from the Highlands is to swap his tractor for a pair of skis as he makes a gallant bid to secure a spot at the coveted youth winter Olympics.
Seventeen-year-old James Slimon, from Laggan in Badenoch, is aiming to compete at the Youth Olympic Games in Switzerland next January as his training efforts ramp up to ensure he is in tip-top shape to compete.
The budding young Nordic skier, who has also just completed his national agricultural certificate course at Scotland’s Rural College in Aberdeen, will now begin training on roller skis over the summer, as well as competing in several events across the country.
Mr Slimon said: “All the races I take part in on snow are International Ski Federation races.
“At these races, you collect as few points as possible. These qualify you for events like the Youth Olympics and World Juniors.
“Over the summer we train on roller skies and there are a number of different races across the country.
“I would like to be a professional skier for a few years and see where it takes me. I will then go back to working on the farm at home.”
The Youth Winter Olympic Games are to be held in Lausanne in Switzerland and are expected to draw a competitive pool of around 1000 competitive winter sports enthusiasts.
The event is also typically recognised as the peak event for athletes aged between 15 and 18.
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The year’s edition represents the third instalment and is taking place at the home of the International Olympic Committee between January 9 and January 22 2020.
Lecturer Carla Coghlan said: “During his year with us, James has managed to juggle the demands of studying Agriculture with competing in international ski competitions.
“We are all very proud of his skiing achievements and wish him success in reaching the Winter Youth Olympics Games in the future.”
The young Nordic skier grew up on a hill farm in Laggan and went to school at Gergask Primary School and Kingussie High School.
Nordic Skiing, which is also known as Cross-country or XC Skiing, is the original form of skiing, with its roots traceable to Scandinavia.
With just 222 days to go until the opening ceremony of the event, Mr Slimon’s next race on snow is to take place in Idre, Sweden in November ahead of the big one just two months later.
