AS the world’s best mountain bikers descended on Fort William for the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, Scottish Cycling’s young stars showed the future of the sport is in very safe hands.

And Borders siblings Emily Carrick Anderson and Corran Carrick Anderson proved yet again what exciting prospects they are.

In windy conditions, 70 talented mountain bikers caught the eyes of the crowds as they competed for ScottishPower Race Series glory.

Each rider had to qualify for the Mini Downhill final through performances in previous events at Fort William, Comrie Croft, Aberfeldy, Innerleithen and Keilder Forest.

But Peebles duo Emily and Corran managed to grab another double victory.

And there was also a silver medal for Hawick youngster Hector Paterson.

The formidable Carrick Andersons claimed the Under 10 Female title as well at the Under 12 Male crown.

Emily believes her brother has had a huge influence on her career so far.

She said: “He really helps me with my bike riding. I look up to him as he is an amazing rider and its great we get to go to these races together, its lots of fun.

“I do a lot of types of cycling but downhill is one of my favourites. The ScottishPower Mini Downhill events are great because it’s not just the adults that get to have all the fun, we do too!” The weekend’s victory was the third time in a row for Corran in the ScottishPower Mini Downhill Series. He defeated Highland Bikes RT’s Zander Millar Todd from Avoch, the eventual silver medallist.

“I was really glad to win it again this year”, said Corran. “I have had challenges this season and haven’t always come first in all of the rounds, I am really glad to just win it today.” “The ScottishPower Series has been great for me, I love doing it every year especially when you qualify to ride at the Fort William World Cup. It’s a great feeling to be here and it’s amazing to race next to some of my heroes that are competing on the track next to us. I hope I am good enough to race there one day.” It was also a family affair for Tea and Hope Jensen.

Big sister Hope presented the silver medal in the Under 14 Female race to the younger Tea, who hopes to follow in her older sister’s footsteps and one day compete in the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.

Tea, from Leven in Fife, said: “This is my second year competing in the Mini Downhill Series. My sister, who competed in the World Cup this year, used to compete so I thought I would give it a try.

“It was great to have my sister present our medals today, although I came second. Hope has got better and better over the last few years and I am so proud that she competed in the main event. It really inspires me to get racing!” Stirling Bike Club’s success in the Track Omnium series as well as the ScottishPower road and youth races so far this year has been well documented, but the weekend was a story of success in the Downhill Series, with Charlie Aldridge, an Ardveck School pupil from Crieff scoring a win in the Under 14 Male race and his teammate Emily Field winning the Under 16 Female race.

The youngster from Callander said: “Some of the other Stirling girls have been putting in some great performances in the ScottishPower Road Series and it’s great to do the same. I loved standing on the podium, you feel like you have done your team proud. It’s great that my team mates are all here to cheer me on.” “It’s amazing to win the ScottishPower Under 16 Series race here at Fort William. I love downhill riding so much. I normally do Cross Country racing but Downhill is just fantastic, especially here. Although the rain was heavy, it was a brilliant course and a great way to finish off the series.” Myles Reid from Burrelton in Perthshire was the winner of the Under 16 Male race despite fierce competition from Adam Burgoyne and Ben Clerkin, an East Coast MTB rider.

Black Isle Mountain Bike Club, based in Fortrose, went home happy with some strong performances on the day from David Bowlman, the fourth place finisher in the boys Under 16 Male race and Aimi Kenyon from Inverness, who won the silver medal in the Under 10 Female race.

Hometown hero Cory Muir, racing for West Highland Wheelers, was the third place finisher in the Under 10 Male race, losing out to eventual winner Harry Hemingway from Leeds and Hawick’s Hector Paterson.

Glasgow Riderz youngster Skye Donnelly continued her successful season, finishing second in the Under 12 Female category, narrowly losing out to winner Abbie Stoddart. Her teammate Gregor Robb was the fifth place finisher in the Under 12 Male race.

After a busy weekend of Mountain Biking, Bob MacFarlane, ScottishPower National Youth Racing Series Events Officer for Scottish Cycling, praised the performances of the youngsters.

He said: “With some of the best mountain bikers in the world in Fort William, the young racers involved in the ScottishPower youth series really managed to get people talking.

“It was a tremendous weekend and the series has produced a group of athletes who are well prepared for serious competition thanks to the challenges and competition they face throughout the year. Many will make the step up next year.

“It is a huge showcase event and it is worth remembering that those involved today had to qualify for the event so we were seeing the best of the best in youth Scottish Mountain Biking. Each one of them did themselves very proud, it was a tremendous weekend. “ With more than 178 affiliated clubs across the country and more than 650 events to choose from it has never been easier to get involved.

Visit www.scottishcycling.org.uk to find out how to contact your local clubs and find out more about the range of racing and coaching opportunities.