I love to ski. I have done, ever since I first tried it on a school trip aged 11. I love the mountain environment, the sense of space and the sense of adventure.

The problem is, I’ve had a career in rowing since then – and mixing the two was never easy. Rowing is an amateur sport, and there are no contracts governing what you do in your free time. But the risks inherent in skiing were obvious for someone who needed strong legs and a fully functioning pair of knees.

So for most of my rowing days, I would take a ski holiday just once every four years, after each Olympics. I was cautious, too. I didn’t ski off-piste, and I set my bindings for a quick release, so I’d pop out of my skis as soon as I fell, rather than risk them twisting my legs. Occasionally, they popped open much too early, and I’d take a tumble. But at least I landed on my head. You don’t need that so much when you’re rowing.

Then, early in 1996, when my eldest daughter was five, my wife announced she’d like to take the family skiing. That was just before the Atlanta Olympics, and I told her there was no way I could go, so she took the children on her own. I was so jealous of them, out there in the snow, that I abandoned my four-year rule – and I’ve been skiing every winter since 1997.

Now I’m enjoying the mountains more than ever, and for the past four years I’ve been involved in the Crystal Ski Challenge. It’s a week of races and race training held each March in the Alps, aimed squarely at amateurs – just the average holidaymaker who wants to add an extra edge to their ski trip. Last winter we had more than 200 people at the event, held in Mayrhofen in the Tyrol. It’s amazing how quickly the competitive spirit is unleashed. One of the many features of the week is a speed challenge, set on a fairly gentle piste, in which you ski past a speed gun to see how fast you can go.

The main event is the giant slalom, and over the years I’ve come anywhere between sixth and 15th. There are always a few who beat me. If you fancy being one of them, why don’t you come along? Next year’s Crystal Ski Challenge will be held in Mayrhofen on March 14-21.

WAY TO GO

The holiday packages featured in this supplement are all from Crystal Ski, Thomson Ski and Snowboarding or First Choice Ski. Unless otherwise stated, the prices quoted include flights, transfers and accommodation, but not ski hire, lift passes or insurance. Find more information on any of the resorts mentioned in the supplement at www.crystalski.co.uk/sunday, 0871 231 5645; www.thomsonski.co.uk/sunday, 0871 231 5622; www.firstchoice-ski.co.uk/sunday, 0871 230 8209

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