For the hardy souls in the Nordic world, May is the start of GB's Rollerski race calendar, a series in which no snow and only lung busting endurance is required by competitors.

In this summer discipline, used by Nordic skiers to maintain technique and fitness over the summer, competitors are each supplied with a pair of Marwe barrel-wheel (rubber) roller skis, allowing the racers to race up and downhill over smooth tarmaced surfaces.

The first event, a 15km time trial, takes place this Sunday in Hayes as part of the London Series.

However, the serious business of the ten-round British Series kicks off in Huntly, Aberdeenshire on 31st May with head-to-head knockout sprints and time trials.  It will also be the venue for the Scottish Championships in September.

On 21st June competitors will tackle 10 laps of a 3.2km course at Glenmore Lodge outside Aviemore before undertaking the ultimate test - a 5.4km ascent of the ski road at Cairngorm mountain.

If you fancy your chances in the series, note that organisers insist all skis must be F.I.S. approved.

Further details can be found at www.snowsportgb.com