OXFORDSHIRE’S Niki Sole has scaled new peaks by becoming the British alpine ski champion.

The 20-year-old, from Over Norton, near Chipping Norton, captured the overall title at Meribel in France after winning two of the five disciplines.

With British No 1 Chemmy Alcott’s sidelined through injury, she triumphed in downhill and super giant slalom as well as finishing third in giant slalom.

Her results were completed by a sixth place in the slalom, while she failed to finish in the super-combined.

“I was absolutely ecstatic,” she said. “It was superb and I am really, really happy.”

Going into the event, Sole, who won the British junior title at the same venue last year, was unsure of how she would fare – especially as she is now training independently in France.

“It is always a bit of an unknown,” she said. “You are not sure how everyone else is doing and how you relate to them because I don’t train in the British system.

“I train with the French team, and everyone goes in there to win it and I was just fortunate to achieve my goal.”

Having made her debut on the Europa Cup circuit this season, Sole had an up and down time, which meant ending with the British title gave her special satisfaction.

“It has not been a great season snow-wise in the Alps, so as far as training goes it was limited, so I was thrilled,” she added.

“It was really good confidence-wise as well for next season.”

Now Sole, who is based at Champagny in France during the winter, is hoping to continue her progress with a place in the British squad for the 2014 Winter Olympics at Soshi in Russia her big target.

“That was the first year I competed in the Europa Cup, which is a step down from World Cup,” she said.

“The 2014 Olympics is the ultimate goal. There is still a lot of hard work to be put in, but I am progressing.

“I have still got a long way to go as far as getting on to the World Cup circuit.

“Probably in reality I am a year or two away, but I definitely think I can achieve that. I have taken a step in the right direction.”

In the meantime, Sole will spend the summer months fitness training at home or in the Southern Alps of New Zealand.