Chemmy Alcott is re-writing British skiing history after she finished ninth in the downhill at Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, last week.

Her top ten finish was the best result by a British woman in the World Cup since Gina Hathorn came ninth in the slalom at Heavenly Valley 32 years ago.

Alcott, who lives in Hove, was less than a second behind the winner, Olympic French champion Carole Montillet.

She finished ahead of World Cup winners Isolde Kostner (Italy) and Alexandra Meissnitzer (Austria).

The versatile skier achieved her best giant slalom performance in the World Cup when she was 16th at Maribor in Slovenia, 3.08 seconds behind winner Anja Paerson, of Sweden.

Alcott said: "I made a mistake on the second run and nearly went off course and still got the result. Also it was a gentle slope and I normally do better on steep ones."

She has won points from nine events across Europe and America and is in the mood for more.

Alcott, 21, in her fourth season on the circuit, said: "The results have been coming thick and fast and I've really surprised myself. Now I have so much confidence."

Eleventh place in the Super G at Lake Louise in Canada last month stoked her self-belief.

Alcott said: "Lake Louise was amazing but Cortina rocked. I was really angry after a disappointing run the day before and was determined to put one down.

"I am learning quickly in downhill but I think super-G and giant slalom are my strongest disciplines."

Before her Lake Louise breakthrough Alcott, who started skiing when she was 18 months old on a family holiday, had been plagued by doubts about her ability to compete with the best in the world.

"My coach, Gerhard Graber would tell me ten times a day that I can achieve top results but I never felt totally confident.

"That day in Lake Louise proved to me I could. Mentally, I feel so much more up for it."

Fulfilling potential is often beset with pitfalls but not, it seems, with Chemmy this season. She believes a mixture of extra practice and work on her technique, good health and psychology have enabled her take the extra step.

She said: "Everything has come together. I've changed my equipment, my skiing style and I've worked hard on the psychological side.

"I used to think I was carrying the whole of British skiing. Now I just ski for myself.

"I'm much stronger after training for the whole of last summer at the British base at Salzburg.

"That helped me stay accident-free. Previously, I have broken my left arm four times, my ribs and even my neck."

Her determination and attention to detail are in stark contrast to the joke image of British sking, epitomised by Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards.

"I'm so dedicated I'm a nuisance socially. I go to bed at 9pm because I know that's what my body needs. I save any partying for the off-season."

A hairdresser recently tried to appeal to her vanity but was given short shrift.

"He told me my hair was in terrible condition and advised me not to wear a helmet. I'd rather have bad hair than brain damage."

Not that Chemmy, whose long blonde hair and good looks have led to modelling assignments, is all business and no fun. "Sometimes I'm so old and grown up and at other times I act younger than I am."

She enjoys the lifestyle and counts many of her rivals as personal friends.

"There's a great group of girls this year. We play cards, tell jokes and hang out. All the female World Cup skiers have a big respect for each other. All you're trying to do is beat the clock.

"It's an amazing mix of an adrenalin rush and trying to push yourself in a sport that is potentially dangerous."

She has a boyfriend, who is also a skier, but does not see him often because they travel on different ski circuits.

The multi-champion, with more than 40 British titles, manages to keep her spirits up and maintains a balance.

"You have to have down time, reorganise your day so you can shut off from it completely otherwise it'll do you in the end."

Whatever happens this winter, her major goal is the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

"As soon as I left Salt Lake City, I started thinking about the next Games. Everything is geared towards that."