THE saying ‘it’s not the winning that counts, it’s the taking part’ could never be more true when describing those competing in the Special Olympics North West Regional Open Alpine Ski Championships.

The fact that Rossendale Special Ski Club scooped an impressive 25 medals - including nine golds - made the day all the more enjoyable.

But this was a day when everyone was a winner, whether they ended with a medal draped around their neck or not.

Rossendale Special Ski Club has quickly established itself as one of the best in the country on the back of winning a clutch of medals at the Special Olympics Great Britain’s National Alpine Ski Championships in Italy last year – which included three newly crowned national champions.

But they also proved to be perfect hosts and skiers, family and friends from as far afield as the West Midlands and East Anglia all departed with only kind words to say.

The championship, for young skiers with intellectual disabilities, saw a total of 31 competitors take part with 15 of them from Rossendale Special Ski Club.

And five of them enjoyed that golden feeling with four finishing the day as double champions.

However, the day started with Rossendale and Darwen MP, Jake Berry opening ceremonies and then took to the slope to ski down alongside Rossendale’s Robert Holden who won gold and silver medals at the recent Special Olympic games in South Korea.

The formal opening also included the North West Special Olympic Ski team carrying the flag of the Special Olympics.

The Athletes oath was read by 19 year old Cameron de Vial who promised on behalf of all the skiers that if they could not win then let them be brave in the attempt. Jon Vaughan read the oath on behalf of the coaches and Rob Andrew promised to officiate fairly and in the spirit of the games.

So on to the action.

The day’s skiing started with Classifications runs. Special Olympic events are organised on an inclusive basis so athletes are split according to their ability into three classifications of Novice, Intermediate and Advanced.

Depending on number of athletes there are also divisions to give all athletes real chances of winning medals.

The skiers took part in two out four different events dependent upon their level of skiing ability. With each race they undertook two runs both of which were timed and leading to the award of medals.

And for Rossendale the medals came at regular intervals and none were more well received than those won by eight-year-old Theo Haslam which summed up the spirit of the event.

Young Theo was visibly overwhelmed by the encouragement he received by spectators on his way to winning gold in the novice glide event - athletes propel themselves on skis across the bottom of slope to much encouragement of the surrounding spectators.

Suitably inspired, Theo also went on to win gold in the slalom as well.

Matthew Evans, Hamish McFarlane and David Corr were also crowned double champions.

Matthew won gold in the intermediate slalom and giant slalom, Hamish doing likewise in his division while David’s double came in the same disciplines in the advanced section.

Dale Haslam, brother of Theo, made sure it was a good day for the household as he won gold in the glide and bronze in the slalom in the novice category.

Rossendale won 10 silvers - Joshua Collinge, Emily Wilde and Rebecca Owen winning two each - while George Marsden, in his first competitive competition won silver in the intermediate giant slalom having been upgraded from novice earlier in the day.

Liam Kay was second in the advanced giant slalom while the two remaining silvers went Joshua Arden (advanced slalom) and Daniel Myers (advanced slalom) who each won bronze medals giant slalom in the respective divisions.

The medal haul was completed by Cameron de Vial in the advance slalom and James Barclay in the novice giant slalom.

Other Rossendale skiers to take part included Sarah Sullivan, Harry Charlies and world champion Robert Holden who, on this occasion, finished empty handed.

Alison de Vial, chairman of Rossendale Special Ski Club, was delighted the success of her skiers but was more thrilled with how the day went.

“These are always very special occasions and you have to experience it to understand what it means to everyone involved,” she said.

“Of course everyone likes to win medals but everyone was cheering each other on and encouraging them to do their best.

“They are always a day to remember.”

But you don’t just have to take Alison’s word for it.

Candy Wragg, who was Head of Delegation for the GB Team at the Special Olympic Winter Games in Korea, said: “It was an excellent day and it was lovely to meet up again with skiers, parents and volunteers.

“There was a lovely atmosphere which I know we all appreciate - and one of our skiers pointed out that you have a much more impressive view from the top of your slope than we have from the Ackers slope in Birmingham.”

And George Burroughs, who made the long trip from East Lancashire, said: “The organisers did a great job done and made us very welcome as usual.”