Accompanied by The Countess of Wessex, The Earl of Wessex (Patron, British Ski and Snowboard Federation) will attend and present prizes at The 2005 National Ski Championships, sponsored by British Land for over 25 years � taking place in the French ski resort of M�ribel from 19^th � 20^th March.

Set to be the most fiercely competitive Championships for decades, the host nation will be tearing up the Entente Cordiale in an effort to exact revenge on the British Land Alpine Ski Team � which recorded five podium finishes from the eight championship disciplines in 2004; with Alain Baxter winning the French Slalom Championship title, Finlay Mickel claiming the Downhill and Super G titles and Lynn Sharp winning the Women�s Downhill.

Sharp, Mickel and Baxter (who is aiming for a World Cup podium this year) will all be returning to defend their titles in M�ribel this March; along with Alain�s brother, Noel Baxter, and Britain�s leading female downhiller, Chemmy Alcott � both firm favourites for a podium finish.

Comments Jean-Marie Choffel, Managing Director of The M�ribel Tourist Office: �We�re delighted to be hosting the British Land National Ski Championships for the second year in a row. The success of the British team last year makes the 2005 Championships far bigger than last year�s. The rivalry between English and French sporting teams is world famous, and it is no different when it comes to skiing. France will have regrouped after last year�s championships and will want to set the record straight. But, the British are very professional and won�t be satisfied with what they achieved last year � they will want more! M�ribel will be a hugely exciting place to be this March.�