Sisters Mathilda and Isabel Watterson have returned home to Wānaka with new medals after a successful winter season in the northern hemisphere.

A top achievement for Mathilda (17) was winning the Slovenian National Junior Championships Giant Slalom on the World Cup course at Kranjska Gora - her first FIS career win and her first European podium. 

She then went on to make multiple other podiums, placing second in giant slalom racing in Rogla, Slovenia; third in giant slalom racing in Koralpe, Austria; and fourth place in slalom in Kravec.

Mathilda also qualified to represent New Zealand at the World Junior Championships where she was the only Kiwi to finish in both giant slalom and slalom disciplines.

Isabel (right) on the podium for the Zagreb Children’s Trophy.

Meanwhile her younger sister Isabel (15) made several podiums in International FIS Children's Races, which bring together the best youth athletes from around the world.

One of these, the Zagreb Children’s Trophy, was held in Slovenia, where Isabel placed third in both the slalom and giant slalom; at another, Vratna Interkriterium, in Slovakia, she placed fifth in giant slalom racing.

After a few weeks resting the girls are now beginning their main fitness block of the year leading into the New Zealand winter season.

“Plenty of time will be spent in the mountains, on the local bike tracks and in the gym,” they said.

PHOTOS: Supplied