Jessica qualifies for snowboard events

Jessica Mensforth of Umina has qualified for the Interschools NSW State Snowsports Championships to be held in Thredbo later this month.

The 15-year-old Central Coast Grammer School student competed successfully in the Northern NSW Interschool Snowsport Championships in Thredbo in early July finishing third in the Snowboard GS event and fourth in the Snowboard X.

Jessica will return to Thredbo for the State title on August 26, with the hope of qualifying through to the National titles at Perisher in September.

The Year 10 student has raced competitively for her school in the annual Interschools competition for the past three seasons competing at Northern NSW and State level each year and qualifying for Nationals in 2008 where she gained a top 10 result.

Jessica's third placing in the NSW Northern division this year has been her best result since competing in the Interschools competition.

The former Umina Public School student's skill for snowboarding is improving rapidly and her time in her second run was the second fastest of all competing senior girls and was faster than many of the boys in division one (Years 11 to 12) and division two (Years 9 to 10), according to Jessica's father Garry.

"Our family are 'snow tragics' with Jessica taking up skiing at age eight before moving to snowboarding four years ago during a trip to New Zealand and has enjoyed it ever since," Mr Mensforth said.

"Jessica has lived at Umina since birth and is an active member of both Umina and Ocean Beach surf clubs

"She is not sure at this stage what she wants to do after graduating high school but is excited by the opportunities and challenges and would love to work in a job that encompasses the ocean and the environment.

"Jessica enjoys snowboarding for the fresh mountain air, making fresh tracks in powder snow and riding with family and friends.

"Our family is currently hosting an exchange student from Wales until the end of August and Jessica will travel to Wales in October and spend her last term at Llandovery College and return just in time for Christmas.

"The exchange program is offered to qualifying Year 10 students through Central Coast Grammar School."

Email, 22 Jul 2010 Garry Mensforth, Umina