Magdalen College School pupil Sarah Adams won’t be putting her feet up this half-term – she’ll be competing in the English Championships in Bormio, Italy.

The 16-year-old sixth-former, who lives in Kidlington, is part of England’s development squad and has been competing at an international level against the Swiss, Italian and French teams, despite her academic studies.

Her first race was in Chamonix this month where she was seeded 50th, but finished 28th.

Adams will tackle slalom, giant slalom and super GS divisions.

She is too young to compete in the downhill.

The teenager started skiing competitively at the age of nine when she was living in Switzerland and joined the local village team.

So while most of her fellow British racers attend a European ski racing school during the winter, Adams has to balance her studies with her skiing.

Her father, Steve, said: “She took part in the championships last year where she recorded some fourth, fifth and sixth-placed finishes.

“But this time she is in with the big boys and girls, so if she finishes in the top-20 that would be quite an achievement.

“It’s not just a competition for English skiers, there are people from the rest of Europe taking part.

“Some people think they know all about skiing, but in a race situation it’s so different.

“To ski down a piste with all the flags to encounter is not easy.”