A HEREFORDSHIRE skier has successfully resumed his career on the slopes after almost 12 months on the sidelines.

Hereford Cathedral School sixth-former William Tucker, 17, had taken time out from skiing for his exams, rugby commitments and to attend RAF courses where he learnt to fly solo.

During the Christmas holidays, he competed in the British Racing Ski Clubs Championship held as part of a FIS International race with entries from all over Europe.

Although, to begin with, he found it difficult to complete his slalom runs, he found success in the Super G event.

Tucker not only dominated the British field, winning gold by 3.6 seconds, but, unusually for a British entry, also won the bronze international medal.

He next raced in the English Alpine Championships in Bormio, Italy at half-term where four races were on offer - Slalom, GS, Super G, and new this year, because it will be included in the next winter Olympics, Skiercross.

Tucker enjoyed a personal best to finish all events, reflecting his greater level of fitness and maturity, and the slalom saw his first bronze medal of the national championships.

He improved his international seeding in GS and Super G, finishing just outside of the medals.

Skiercross is a high speed, exciting and dangerous event where four racers compete side by side in an attempt to reach the finish line without sustaining a major injury.

Only 32 racers braved entering and this quickly reduced as injuries built up and the Italian air ambulance crews were kept busier then usual.

A fall in qualifying meant that Tucker had to start in the least desired lane for each round.

But he moved through to the final where, despite a crash, he carried on to his second bronze medal of the championships.