Les Orres, France, recently hosted the 2024/2025 Hungarian University and College National Championship (MEFOB) in alpine skiing and snowboarding. Students of Széchenyi István University, Katalin Anna Pataki and Miklós Bereczki, secured first place in the giant slalom skiing competition, earning two gold medals for their institution in Győr.

Commissioned by the Hungarian University and College Sports Association, Széchenyi István University and the National Conference of Student Unions jointly organized the 2024/2025 academic year’s alpine skiing and snowboarding MEFOB competition at the renowned ski resort of Les Orres, France. The competition, which featured students from five universities, was held concurrently with the skiing camp of Széchenyi István University. The institution competed in two skiing categories, with its students triumphing in both the women’s and men’s giant slalom events, thanks to Katalin Anna Pataki and Miklós Bereczki.

“First and foremost, I congratulate the winners, but I would also like to thank my colleague, Tamás Gasztonyi, the camp leader, for organizing and overseeing the skiing instruction of nearly one hundred of our students and their preparation for MEFOB. I hope that we can continue to instil a love for winter sports in so many young people in the future and achieve similarly outstanding results,” emphasized Dr Tamás Gyömörei, Head of the University’s Sports and Recreation Centre and President of the Széchenyi István University Sports Association (SZESE).

Katalin Anna Pataki, a first-year student in the English-taught Business and Management programme at the University, was no stranger to success. “I have been skiing since I was six years old as a member of the Felső-Mátra DSE club and have already won the student Olympics in the ‘A’ category. Last year, I finished fifth in the slalom event at the national adult championship. Because of this, my coach and I were hopeful that I could also win at MEFOB,” she stated. She added that the organizers had set up an excellent course and that the weather was favourable, allowing competitors to race in beautiful sunshine. “I had never been to France either for a training camp or a competition before, so this experience was a double victory for me,” said the student, who hails from Gyöngyös. “I had previously visited Győr for an athletics competition and was impressed by the campus and the beautiful city. Additionally, the Austrian mountains are close by, which was another reason I chose to study here,” she revealed.

Katalin Anna Pataki (center) remained undefeated among the women.

The other gold medallist, Miklós Bereczki, is an undergraduate student in vehicle engineering at Széchenyi István University. “I am from Sepsiszentgyörgy, in Transylvania, where I grew up in the mountains, so skiing has been part of my life since childhood. I won the MEFOB last year as well, and winning again this year means a great deal to me, as it shows that I am on the right path. I am very grateful that the University organized this skiing camp, where we could train on slopes that catered to all skill levels, from beginners to professionals,” he explained. He added that he has no regrets about choosing to study in Győr, as the University offers outstanding education and infrastructure.

Miklós Bereczki, a student of Széchenyi István University (centre), won

the men’s giant slalom event.