BETHANY Widdup steps into the unknown later today when she competes in her first World Junior Skiing Championships.

The 19-year-old from Colne earned her place in the Great Britain team following her surprise second place in the English Junior Alpine Ski Championships in Italy last month.

The former Clitheroe Grammar School pupil will compete in her favoured slalom event in Falun, Sweden but admits she does not really know what to expect.

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“I am delighted to have been selected for World Junior Championships as this was one of my season goals at the beginning of the year,” said Widdup.

“But I am unsure what my realistic goals are as I am not too sure as to which juniors are going.

“But at this stage, with it being my first world championship, I am really looking forward to the experience and hoping to produce a credible performance and to be happy with how I am skiing.”

Widdup, who is a member of the Ambition Ski team, admits she has failed to transfer her training form to competitions - but, just like the English finals, she could catch her rivals by surprise.

“This year has been a mixed bag really,” added Widdup. “I am happy with how I have been training, I have been trying new things some which aren’t working yet and some which are.

“I have been happy with some of my races however I know that I can ski better but I am taking the positives from the races that I have had already. The second overall at the English champs was definitely a surprise as I didn’t take part in one of the three races therefore I didn’t think I would have scored enough points in the two races that I competed in.”

Despite a few set backs, Widdup, who will also compete in the British Alpine Championships later in the month, is looking at the bigger picture.

“I know at the moment I am not racing how I am training so I would definitely like to see this overlap into my race results,” she said.

“There is always so much more to come in any sport so it is just a matter of keeping on working hard and taking each step at a time.

“Every day I am learning things - whether it be a good day or bad one - everything I do contributes in the long term.

“Sometimes it is hard to see the bigger picture but I always have to keep it in the back of my mind that things don’t just happen instantly.

“I am in it for the long term.”