The Brits have never really been known as the superstars of the ski world – you’ll probably have heard of Franz Klammer, Bode Miller, Lindsey Vonn and the likes. When thinking of these skiing ‘legends’ you might not have a British name at the tip of your tongue, but times are changing.
British names that you might recognise (or should if you’re religious Ski Sunday fans like us) are brothers Graham and Martin Bell, Emma Carrick-Anderson and Chemmy Alcott. Although now retired from the skiing circuit, they all competed for GB at the Winter Olympics and were regulars on the world cup circuit. Our current hopes lie with Dave Ryding who has been improving year on year in the FIS rankings and in the first slalom race of 2016 finished 12th, we’re definitely watching him this year and have our fingers crossed for the top 10!
The big change in snowsports in recent times has been the rise of freestyle skiing and snowboarding, and this is where the British talent has really been shining. These events really lend themselves to the training opportunities that exist in the UK. Whilst we have highlighted the skiing opportunities in Scotland, unfortunately it isn’t that reliable and for the majority of British residents, it’s pretty far away. There are a number of artificial slopes in the UK, namely indoor snowdomes and dry ski slopes. And whilst Hillend in Edinburgh lays claim to the longest dry ski slope in Europe, it still doesn’t quite reach the lengths needed to train for World Cup race distances. However, the shorter slopes are perfectly adequate for practicing the tricks and flips required in freestyle skiing and snowboarding disciplines. Jenny Jones started the ball rolling with a bronze medal in the snowboard slopestyle in Sochi, and names you should be watching at the moment are James ‘Woodsy’ Woods, Aimee Fuller, Katie Summerhayes, Katie Ormerod and Billy Morgan, and there are plenty more working their way into this list.
Great Britain have strong skiers in the Paralympic disciplines as well, Paralympians Kelly Gallagher and Jade Etherington along with their guides added three medals to GB’s tally at the 2014 Winter Paralympics in the women’s visually impaired downhill ski events, and Millie Knight is a hot contender as well.
And last but not least, our Summit sponsored athletes; Jamie Barrow, Will Tucker and Ellie Soutter. Following an injury, Jamie had to leave the snowboard cross discipline, but is now GB’s fastest snowboarder and has performed a number of daredevil stunts achieving several Guinness World Records.
Freestyle skier Will Tucker is part of the Ski the Kingdom crew, who are a UK based freeski crew who travel around the country to inspire others to join in.
And Ellie Soutter is a GB snowboarder and PSC team rider, one to definitely keep your eye on as she starts to make a mark on the adult circuit having achieved huge successes in junior competitions.
So make sure you keep an eye out for the rising power of the Brits in the ski and snowboard world, there’s only 2 years until the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. Can the team beat the medal total of 4 in Sochi including Jenny Jones’ only ski or snowboard medal for the women’s slopestyle?
Join the discussion One Comment