ASCOT skier Dexter Lee has won a call up to the Great Britain team to compete in the Pinocchio International Alpine Championships.

The talented 15-year-old has been rewarded for a series of impressive results with the chance to represent his country in the tournament in Abetone, Italy on April 8 and 9.

Millfield School pupil Lee is currently based in Austria with Evolution Alpine Racing where he combines his skiing with studying for his GCSEs.

He beamed: “I am honoured to have been asked to represent Great Britain. I have been working hard at my fitness and skiing for the past four years in hope of this selection.

“I am in my fourth year with Evolution Alpine Racing and this season has probably been the most challenging yet. I have been really pushing the boundaries on the mountain and my skiing is constantly evolving.

“My coach, Paul Telling, works myself and the other athletes to our limits. We are on the mountain by 8am every morning, except when Super G training which starts at 5.30am to ensure we have empty runs.

“The coaches work tirelessly to ensure every minute is spent making us better and stronger athletes.”

He added: “I am sitting my GCSEs this year so I have to really knuckle down to achieve the results my parents and teachers expect of me.

“I have been living in Austria at Evolutions’ base camp since December 1 and have not been home since.

“Thankfully I am incredibly well supported by Millfield and Evolution teachers who go to great lengths to ensure I stay on track. They even arranged for me to sit my mock exams at school in Austria.

“I will return to school after half term for three weeks before heading back out to Austria in preparation for the British Ski Championships in Tignes at the end of March, and the GB race in Abetone.”

Lee, who also attended Lambrook School, is currently competing in the English Alpine Championships in Bormio, Italy. Mum, Sandra, and dad, Steven, are there to support him at the event.

Lee declared: “It’s been a pretty good season with two first places in the British U16 slalom races and third in the giant slalom in Leogang, Austria.

“I also came first in the U16 giant slalom and third in the slalom at the British Schoolboy Championships in Wengen in Switzerland.

“I have a long road ahead of me if I want to achieve all my goals. I still have much to learn.”

Lee also paid tribute to his tutors and sponsors, saying: “I am thankful to my coach Paul Telling and Evolution, to Millfield for all the extra work I cause my teachers and to Head of Skiing, Richard Smith.

“Finally, thanks to Rossignol who sponsor me and help a great deal ensuring I have such great skis and kit.”