Smith inspired by Musgrave's example at EYOWF

ANDREW Musgrave's World Cup debut has inspired a new wave of British cross-country skiers, according to promising 16-year old Callum Smith.

18-year old Musgrave has already progressed to senior competition and Smith, a team-mate at Huntly Nordic Ski-ing Club, is looking to follow in his ski tracks.

And he underlined his potential as he finished 28th out of 82 starters in the 7.5km time trial at the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Poland,

"Andrew is doing really well at the moment and I try to look at his performances and use them as inspiration," said Smith.

"Training has gone really well and I have managed to stay illness free since Christmas. 

"This is the biggest event I have competed in so far and the competition is fierce. I beat a number of really good skiers today and I am delighted to break in to the top 30.

"My target was top 30 and I'm delighted to have achieved it. The guys I'm up against have been training hard for weeks but my preparations have been a bit different.

“After school I go out running and cycling but I have also been skating through the streets on roller skis. It's a bit unorthodox but it seems to be working."

Smith's team-mates William Newman finished 57th while Andrew Young, who also made his World Cup debut in Davos last year, did not start.

In the women's 5km time trial, Scottish youngster Deborah May finished 60th - three places ahead of Gloucester's Lauren Spencer.

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