IT may come as a surprise to some people that the North West has it's own schools skiing championships.

And this year's slalom event at Pendle featured a number of medal-winning performances by Bolton pupils.

The majority of those came from Clevelands Prep School, which won the infants team prize and boasted three individual medallists – one silver and two bronze.

Phoebe Hayes was second in the infants girls' race, while Joseph Roxburgh was third in the infants boys' and Gabriella Giambattista-Hunt picked up bronze in the junior girls' competition.

Gabriella was edged out of the top two places by team-mates on the Rossendale Ski School race team, with Cat Ferguson finishing second and fellow Boltonian Rebecca Hart, a Year 6 pupil at St Andrews Primary, claiming the title.

"I love skiing because it's competitive and fun, and it's nice to be part of something like that, but mainly because I am a bit of a daredevil," said Gabriella, aged 10.

"Slalom is my favourite because it is more of a challenge to get round the poles – going straight downhill can be a bit boring.

"Going really fast is a bit scary, but mostly I am scared of losing. It is more exciting than anything else."

Gabriella is part of a thriving race team at Rossendale and has ambitions to one day compete for Team GB.

She has already taken part in the British Ski Championships in Tignes, France, where she was inspired to aim big after meeting former British skier Chemmy Alcott and Chorley's Dave Ryding, who recently won a slalom silver at the World Championships.

"I know it can be dangerous, but I definitely think I am brave enough to do what Chemmy and Dave do," she said.

"It was really cool to meet them and 100 per cent I want to be like them and ski at the Olympics one day."

Gabriella has the full backing of mum and dad, Liza Giambattista and Chris Hunt.

Both her parents are keen winter sports enthusiasts, although Liza admits watching from the finish line can be nerve-wracking.

"We love the sport too, so it is great that she is so excited by it," she said.

"As a parent, your heart is always in your mouth until they have made it safely to the bottom, but I couldn't stop her from doing something she loved.

"All we can do is make sure she has all the kit to keep her as safe as possible, and as long as she enjoys doing it then Gabriella will have our blessing."