ELLIE SOUTTER FOUNDATION AWARDS ITS 4TH ATHLETE GRANT

20th April 2020

Last modified on May 15th, 2021

The foundation set up in memory of the young British snowboarder has awarded funding to another GB team snowboarder and one of Ellie’s good friends.

Maisie Potter, a 22-year-old from Snowdonia in North Wales, receives the fourth athlete grant to be awarded by the Foundation.

She started her professional career at the age of 19 and has held the title of British Snowboard Cross Champion on three occasions.

She now competes on the Europa and World Cup circuits.

She receives €2,000 of funding to help with costs for the last season, as well a further €2,000 for the 2020-21 winter.

The foundation will also provide other assistance including chiropractor and massages.

Maisie and Ellie Soutter were good friends and grew up training and competing together before Ellie took her own life on her 18^th birthday in 2018.

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“I am very grateful for the support that The Ellie Soutter Foundation has provided me for this year and next,” Maisie Potter said.

Maisie Potter

“I think it is amazing what they have set up and Ellie would be so proud of their achievements so far.

“From my own personal experiences, I think it’s a really valuable cause.

“This season has finally proved that I’m back from injury after a career best result earlier this year and finishing 5th in the Europa Cup overall ranking despite the end of the season not taking place.

“Next winter, the goal is to start cracking top 16’s at World Cup especially as it also marks the beginning of the next Olympic cycle so I will work hard in order to be where I need to be come Beijing 2022”.

Despite serious fund raising challenges due to the COVID-19 situation, The Ellie Soutter Foundation is pleased to be able to continue to support athletes.

“Maisie is a very accomplished GB athlete and very likely will be selected to represent GB at the next Winter Olympics,” said Ellie’s dad, Tony Soutter, who set up the Foundation.

“Maisie also trained and competed alongside Ellie a few years back and they became great friends, so to me as a father it is lovely to know we would have Ellie’s full support on this funding.

“The foundation looks forward to being associated with Maisie for many years to come.

“Well done Maisie and be assured we will be right beside you going forward.”

Ellie & Tony Soutter

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About Maisie Potter

Maisie learned to ski at the age of 6 on dry slope in North Wales and on family holidays.

At the age of 8, she moved to Chamonix and the following year, strapped on a snowboard and joined the Chamonix Snowboard Club before being selected for the GB Snowboard Team.

Maisie won 3 consecutive British Championship titles in the overall category (first time age 13) and represented the UK at the 2013 Youth Olympics.

She made her European Cup debut at age 18 and World Cup debut a year later.

Key achievements

2nd – Europa Cup, Puy St Vincent – Jan 2020
14th – World Championships, Sierra Nevada – March 2017
6th – World Cup Team event, Veysonnaz – March 2017
Multiple British Overall Champion titles & FIS podiums

About Ellie and The Ellie Soutter Foundation

Ellie Soutter was one of the most progressive Junior Female Snowboard Athletes of Great Britain.

She became Vice Champion of the world in the Junior Freeride World Tour in 2017.

She was winner of a Bronze medal for Team GB at the 2017 European Youth Olympics and was tipped to be one of GBs strongest contenders for the 2022 winter Olympics among other numerous podium finishes throughout Europe and the southern hemisphere.

Ellie Soutter after winning bronze at the European Youth Olympics in 2017

As a junior athlete coming from a family without substantial wealth, Ellie often had to miss out on competing and training through lack of funds. She felt and understood the constant pressure to obtain the necessary funds for her training and events.

She tragically died on her 18th birthday in the resort of Les Gets, France, where she was based.

Ellie’s family then decided to form The Ellie Soutter Foundation in her memory to help and assist other young winter athletes in similar circumstances.

The foundation’s aim is to help young athletes at all levels with funding for their journeys and ensure they receive the kind of support and training that can help identify mental health issues that can arise from the pressures they are often placed under and help prevent the situation that ultimately led to Ellie Soutter taking her own life on her 18th birthday.