Born in the Trentino region of Northern Italy, I have been skiing since an early age. After finishing high school, I came to the UK and joined my father in helping to run the slope at Brentwood, known back then as Warley.
Over the years, after first gaining ski instructing qualifications, first with Snowsport England (ESC), BASI and then AMSI (Italian), I soon took an interest in competitive skiing and helping skiers achieve a higher level of performance and eventually became a Race Coach.
Having gained my FISI L2 coaching badge in 1998, I then spent a year in the United States working along- side the USSA helping to train young USST athletes engaged in NORAM and Europa Cup FIS races.
On my return to the UK a year later, I became co-owner of Brentwood Ski & Snowboard Centre and took on overall responsibility of performance coaching for the Race Team with the help and assistance of some great coaches along the way. Now, working alongside a team of great coaches, my aim as Race Director is to help and assist them to deliver the highest levels of coaching to enable all Essex Ski Team athletes achieve their future goals and aspirations.
Dan Curtis – Head Coach
Dan has been involved in the club for over 20 years, initially as an athlete where he competed on Dry Slope and at FIS level on snow. Having stopped racing when he went to Brunel University where he studied to be a Physical Education teacher, he completed his coaching and teaching qualifications during this time.
Since then, he has gone onto coach various schools, coached at the World School Games for the English Schools Ski Association as well as for Essex Ski Racing Club, where he has been the Head Coach since 2016. Dan also brings his experiences from his profession and university to help athletes off their skis to develop fitness levels.
Martyn Amos – Race Coach
Martyn learnt to ski at the young age of 10 and enjoyed his progression within the sport at Brentwood Ski Slope. Having a love of Wengen Switzerland, he completed his teaching qualifications and has seen many athletes develop from a “kids morning” into the Saturday evening development session. In recent years, he has coupled his wider knowledge in football and in sport in general with his coaching on a Saturday evening.
Alex Penneck – Athlete Racer / Coach
My name is Alex Penneck, and I’m a 2006-born British Alpine Skier from Essex, England.
A Little About Me:
I’m currently a proud member of the Scottish Alpine FIS Team, representing Scotland for the second consecutive year.
Some of my biggest achievements so far include:
Highest ranked male skier on dryslope for the past two years
GBR Indoor Overall Champion – 4 consecutive years
GBR Combined Champion – 3 consecutive years
4 FIS podiums, including 1 FIS win (2023)
Overall British Dryslope Slalom Champion (2023)
Multiple podiums both in the mountains and on dryslope/indoor
Scottish Alpine FIS SL Champion (2025 & 2026)
Scottish Alpine FIS Overall Champion (2026)
How It All Began:
I was born and raised in Essex, England, and have been on skis since I was two years old, thanks to my parents taking me on annual family ski holidays. But skiing wasn’t always my main sport. Before fully committing at age 12, I played rugby for Westcliff RFC for six years, did some gymnastics, and even gave swimming a go (though not very successfully). My real skiing journey began when a classmate in Year 5 asked if I’d ever skied before. That simple question changed everything. He introduced me to Essex Race Club, my local dryslope team. After representing my primary school in a local race (and finishing second — not bad for beginners), I was hooked. From there, I joined Essex Race Club at age 12, working my way up from Saturday morning beginner sessions to competing nationally by 15. Over time, I started claiming titles and trophies across the UK — eventually becoming British Overall Dryslope Champion and the top-ranked male skier on dryslope.
Representing Scotland:
In 2024, I switched from representing England to Scotland, thanks to my mum’s Scottish heritage (born and raised in Edinburgh). It’s been an honour to wear the thistle and compete internationally as part of the Scottish Alpine FIS Team.
Where I Am Now:
After completing my A-Levels in Geography, Business, and Physical Education, I’m now able to fully commit to training and racing full-time on the FIS circuit.
My goal for this season is to break into the 70 point range in both Slalom and 80 points Giant Slalom — a major step toward my long-term dream of competing on the World Cup circuit and ultimately the Olympic Games. So far I have managed to reach 85 points in SL and sub 100 in GS, a +30% deduction in my GS points compared to last season!
This would not be possible without Essex’s support in me at a young age!
Anna Sarkar – Coach / Racers Representative
I first joined the club in 2017 when I was 10 years old. When I joined the club I was a young, beginner skier who could barely snowplough; since then I became the Overall Female British Dry Slope Racer and Female Zero Point Racer in 2022. The development of me as an athlete came from the club. Essex Ski Racing Club provided me with guidance, stability and support every step of the way.
Sadly, in 2023 I had a crash when I was training for the English Championships in Bormio. I sustained an injury to my knee that caused me to take a step back from being an athlete. The end of my career as an athlete opened the door for me to begin a career as a coach. I am proud to now be a coach for the club and provide these athletes with the same brilliant treatment I received as an athlete.
In addition to being a coach at the club, I am also Club Officer on the Committee. By this, I am able to represent the athletes on a more personal level and provide them with support with anything they need. If ever someone needs someone to talk to, or go to for advice I’ll always be there for them.
I am always in and around the club at training and races, so if ever anyone wants to chat I am always here.
Lewis Wyatt – Coach
Recent addition to our Coaching Team – Photo and Bio to follow soon
Committee Member Profiles
Club Officer – Jeffrey Penneck
I have been a member of the Club since 2017 and have been elected onto the committee since the 2020/2021 season.
I joined other enthusiastic parents in 2017 who seemed to be enjoying themselves a great deal while their siblings were improving their skiing techniques.
With encouragement from Dan our Head Coach I entered into the Club races and then with much unbridled enthusiasm entered the ERSA Master 4 category races. To my surprise coming 3rd in the 2017 season. Improved to 1st in the 2018 and then beaten into 2nd place by the Suffolk coach in 2019. My ambition is to beat that coach in the next available season!
My wife Cathy actively supports the Club and its members. Alex our son is a racer with the club. If anybody needs any assistance or guidance just ask as we hope Essex Ski Club is one big family! – See you on the slopes.
Secretary – David Burns
I originally became involved with the club through my Children both of whom joined their school team in 2017 and subsequently Essex the following year.
After many long hours spent in the dark and usually damp winter conditions watching them train I was finally persuaded by Jeff to put some skis on myself and started training in late 2019. As it turned out that wasn’t the best of timing as COVID hit jut a few months later and the many lockdowns followed! Still, perseverance pays and improvements are being made….
I joined the Committee in late 2020 and subsequently took on the role of Secretary, responsible for organising and documenting our meetings. I also enjoy helping to organise our club races as well as the ERSA race at Brentwood each year. I race myself in the club race series and take on the role of Team Manager at the ERSA races.
I am often to be found on the hill as an Official both at Club and School races nationally and have completed the Snowsport England Level 3 Officials programme.
Treasurer – Frank Collier-Brown
I became involved in the club back in 2022 when my son joined. Since then the slope has been like my second home and I can’t even ski! I wanted to give back to the club and help it grow, so I joined the committee.
I’m always at the slope, so if you have any questions then come and find me and ask away!
Membership Secretary – Andrew Elphick
Andrew has been involved with the club since 2013 when his eldest daughter expressed an interest in ski racing and joined the Club. Shorty after his youngest daughter became an Essex racer too.
When you contact the Club Andrew is likely to be the first person your introduced to, and his grassroots enthusiasm for setting young (and old!) skiers off into the world of ski racing is infectious. Andrew is unmistakably Essex born and bred and works as a Signaller.
Child Protection Officer – Nicky Elphick
Nicky learnt to ski in the pouring rain at Brentwood slope during the 90s. Once Alex (her eldest daughter) decided she wanted to ski every week – rather once a year during half term – the Elphick family became regulars to the club.
Nicky takes her role of Child Welfare Officer seriously, being suitably qualified. She also makes a point of trying to get to know everyone, remembering names, faces and who belongs to who. Something her husband Andrew (Membership Secretary) struggles with!
If you have any queries concerning child welfare please don’t hesitate to contact Nicky.
Dan brings his role of Head Coach to the Committee whereby he links the strategic direction of the coaching programme, overseen by himself and the coaching team, with the direction of the club to ensure that the best outcomes for all the members can be achieved.
