2017 INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

The changing of the guard – Youth trumps experience at the Indoor British Champs

Whilst it is absolutely no surprise to see young guns come to the fore at the British Indoor Championships, Saturday the 14th of October marked the day they took over entirely, as we crowned 4 champions - all of whom were born in the 21st century.

Unsuspecting of the incoming tide of youth dominance, skiers and snowboarders of all ages descended upon Manchester for their classic pre-season pilgrimage to the British Indoor Championships. The Chill Factore park shapers had laid on yet another incredible feast of rails, boxes and kickers to sustain any shred-hungry competitors.

From the very start of the day, it was apparent that the whole field had put in the work in the off-season, with the women's field in particular looking like it had built some serious strength in depth. With numbers in near parity with the men's field in snowboarding, it shows that the community is being spurred on by the continued success of Britain's top level female athletes.

In that very women's field we also saw the standout ride of the day, the most incredible performance coming in the smallest package. Mia Brookes is no stranger to the top step of the Brits podium, but has only ever seen it whilst taking Under 12's crowns, understandable as she was born in 2007. But this was her time to make the leap, and in front of her home crowd, she showed that age is truly just a number and took her debut overall British title with the steeze she shows every time she straps on her board. Cerys Allen took second place and the silver medal ahead of Fiona Reid in third.