World Record Achieved For Skiing In Kilts (09-Mar-10)

CairnGorm, Scotland, March 9, 2010 - 235 skiers and snowboarders

235 skiers and snowboarders set a world record for the largest number of kilted skiers/snowboarders skiing down a piste at once on Saturday on the slopes of CairnGorm Mountain. All participants paid an entry fee of £5 to take part and all the funds will be split between Maggie’s Highland, a cancer hospice charity, and the Badenoch and Strathspey Schools Skiing Programme.

The record that was set for the largest number of  kilted skiers and snowboarders skiing in a single consecutive line from the Ptarmigan Top Station at CairnGorm Mountain all the way down to car park level a run of 1.8 miles. It took participants in around 30 minutes to complete the event.

Ian Whitaker, Chief Executive at CairnGorm Mountain said:

“The weather was kind to us, no wind and although misty at the top, the atmosphere was fantastic. Four members of the Badenoch & Strathspey Pipe Band (3 pipers, Pipe Major Chris Thompson, Barry Walker, Sandy MacDonnel, Callum Smith,  and 1 drummer – Ian Masson) piped the skiers and snowboarders down the mountain to the cheers and support of the skiing public. We even had ski coaches from Cairngorm Ski Club and ski patrol doing reels on skis as they came through the finish area. A great deal of fun for everyone and many participants are asking if we will repeat it as an annual event which we will certainly give serious consideration to.”

The participants were the star of the show. 262 registered to take part in the event and 235 officially passed both the start and finish gates. They skied and snowboarded slowly and steadily from the top station down the Traverse, Coire Cas, Zig Zags and the lower slopes in a single consecutive line. Ladies, gentlemen and children all showed off their tartan.

£1310 pounds was raised just through registration for the event but the final fund raising effort is hoped to increase considerably with further publicity for the event.

Donations can still be made until the end of March by going to: http://www.justgiving.com/CairnGormMountain