GB Wins Another Medal at Youth Olympic Games
22nd January 2024
Last modified on January 27th, 2024
16-year old Zak Carrick-Smith has added a silver medal to the gold he won in the men’s combined race at the Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Games in South Korea. UPDATED
The 16-year-old is going from strength to strength and has confirmed what many people have thought for a while – he is a very bright prospect.
We’ll bring you further reaction to Zak’s silver medal shortly.
In the combined he delivered a sensational slalom run, climbing 26 positions and clocking an aggregate time of 1:49.46.
It was 0.13 seconds faster than the silver medallist, Alexander Ax Swartz from Sweden.
Another Swede, Liam Liljenborg, rounded off the podium.
- Zak Carrick-Smith (GBR) 🥇
- Alexander Ax Swartz (SWE) 🥈
- Liam Liljenborg (SWE) 🥉
IT’S GOLD!!! 🥇🥇🥇🥇
Zak Carrick-Smith wins gold in the men’s alpine combined ⛷️
It is Great Britain’s first ever medal at a Winter Olympic event in Alpine Skiing 🤩#Gangwon2024 pic.twitter.com/LiNh17VZxP
— Team GB (@TeamGB) January 22, 2024
“I remember going up the chairlift after the first run, I was disappointed and I just knew I had to give my all in slalom so I just didn’t hold back at all, I just went at it and probably had the best run of my life, it was just amazing,” said Zak Carrick-Smith.
He is coached by his mum, Emma Carrick-Anderson, a four-time Olympian for Team GB.
Proud coach 🤝 proud mum
Four-time winter Olympian Emma Carrick-Anderson has seen every single part of her son Zak’s journey to gold ⛷️🥇 pic.twitter.com/EyMNoVMUGu
— Team GB (@TeamGB) January 22, 2024
Zak was selected for team GB for Gangwon over his twin brother Freddy, who is preparing to compete in the Junior World Championships taking place in France later this month.
Part of the Youth Olympic champion’s coaching team is also Jo Ryding, sister of Britain’s greatest skier, Dave Ryding.
At the weekend Dave came 5th in the slalom in Kitzbuhel as the GB team had a stunning day:
PlanetSKI’s Jane Peel spent some time with Zak and his brothers Freddy and Luca back in 2018 as their early potential was spotted:
Zak Carrick-Smith in 2018.
Emma Carrick-Anderson has launched a Go Fund Me page to raise money for the Zak and his brothers Freddy and Luca.
Before Zak’s victory it had raised £3,025 of its £10,000 target.
That has now risen to £7,270 (Tuesday 23rd January) after the gold medal success
If you want to help the boys on their journey please fee free to make a contribution via the link at the end of this article.
“We’re thrilled to share some fantastic news! Zak, at just 16 years old, has earned a spot to compete in the upcoming World Youth Olympics in South Korea this January,” said Emma on the Go Fund Me page.
“His outstanding performance in the first six weeks of racing FIS has been remarkable.
“Achieving this level of competition demands an incredible amount of hard work, year-round dedication, unwavering commitment from Zak and his entire team, and substantial financial support.
“Zak, along with his brothers Luca and Freddy, aspire to go even further beyond the Youth Olympic Level.
“But this journey wouldn’t be possible without your support.
“Please become part of this exciting journey by contributing whatever you can, big or small, to support these talented boys.
“Your generosity means the world to us, and we’re immensely grateful for your involvement in their remarkable journey.
“Thank you for being a part of this incredible experience!”
See here for the Go Fund Me page.
