Wednesday, 25 November: Out of all the titles that are up for grabs in the final Grand Prix of the year in Sharjah on 19-20 December, the closest is being fought out in Ski Ladies.

Just three points separates Sweden’s Emma-Nellie Ortendahl and France’s defending world champion Jennifer Menard. Both have claimed a Grand Prix win this year, Ortendahl has one race win, Menard three and seems to have the momentum after the last round in China and going into the decider.

If the 17-year-old from Alvangen is to become the youngest champion she is going to have to show the same steely determination and fierce competitive spirit that handed her first race win and maiden GP title in very tough conditions in Italy, after taking third overall in the season-opener in Qatar.

In China she was clearly still feeling the effects of a protracted summer illness, her points lead eaten into after two third place finishes.

Menard on the other hand is now fully fit after an operation to fix and ankle injury that plagued her mid-season and showed she was back to her very best last time out winning twice. But should the 27-year-old fail at the final hurdle she will rue the DNF in Qatar in race 2, breaking down on the penultimate lap whilst leading easily and after winning the opener.

What both Ortendahl and Menard need to be wary of are the three behind them, Estelle Poret, Beatriz Curtinhal and Jonna Borgstrom, who could well play a part in the title outcome if they can take points away from either of them.