You stiffly nod and begin to follow.

It’s immediately apparent that it’s going to be hard though, for each turn requires you to bend your knees and that makes holding even harder. You’re almost certain you’re going slower than last time. Mum looks like she’s about to ask if you want to stop, but you shake your head, a grim expression o on your face. You have to make it, it’s your only choice.

Then, the worst happens: another skier races by, and then another. You’ve got to make a turn to slow down, but worried about someone else shooting down, you look back. It’s a poor choice however as while you’re looking back you hit a small bump. You don’t fall, but you do stumble, your legs going wide.