Another Gold for Team GB at Youth Olympic Games
25th January 2024
Zak Carrick-Smith has done it again. The 16-year old wins the slalom to add to his medal haul and now has 2 golds & 1 silver. UPDATED
It has been a stunning Games at Gangwon in South Korea for Zak Carrick-Smith.
His latest success has come in the slalom.
ANOTHER GOLD!! 🥇🥇
The future of British alpine skiing is bright… Zak Carrick-Smith takes home gold in men’s slalom!! ⭐#Gangwon2024 pic.twitter.com/Fosogf13JO
— Team GB (@TeamGB) January 25, 2024
“[This medal] means the world, it’s just unbelievable, they [these medals] all mean so much, they are so hard,” said Carrick-Smith after the race to Olympic.com.
This also represents the best result for Team GB in the sport during an Olympic event:
“It’s just amazing, we are just slowly climbing up the ladder, we are just getting more and more known and I’m trying to help with that,” he added.
“I was at the top and I could barely feel my legs, I was so tired from the past few days, and I just thought, ‘I’m going to give everything in this run, I also stayed smart, and it paid off.”
Zak Carrick-Smith. Photo Credit: Sam Mellish / Team GB
Zak Carrick-Smith. Photo Credit: Sam Mellish / Team GB
Carrick-Smith will also be in action on Friday for the Parallel Team event along with Molly Butler.
Action from the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics is available live, worldwide, and without subscription on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com and the official Olympics app.
He won his first gold on Monday in the combined and then followed it with a silver in the GS.
We reported on it at the time as GB secured its first ever Olympic gold medal in alpine skiing.
He is coached by his mother, the 4-time Olympian Emma Carrick-Anderson.
Mum and son. Photo Credit: Sam Mellish / Team GB
She has just posted of his latest victory on Facebook.
Another of his coaches is Jo Ryding, the sister of GB’s best-ever alpine ski racer Dave Ryding.
PlanetSKI has just been watching Dave at the Night Slalom in Schladming.
PlanetSKI spoke to Dave Ryding in Schladming just after Zak won gold in the slalom.
“It’s a shame that his twin brother (Freddy) couldn’t be there with him and I think Team GB need to reassess. They left some medals on the table without taking both of them,” Dave told PlanetSKI.
“I always feel we’re a bit harshly treated in alpine by UK Sport or whoever.
“I’ve watched them come through – and their older brother, Luca, as well who’s only two years older.
“They’re an unbelievable level and what their family’s done so far has been unreal and they’re going in the right direction.”
PlanetSKI’s Chief Reporter, Jane Peel, has an exclusive and full video interview with Dave that we’ve just posted:
Jane 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.
See here for a full report on the GB Team in South Korea from Team GB
GB also won curling’s mixed team event to gain a third gold in Gangwon.
The team of Logan Carson, Tia Laurie, Archie Hyslop and Holly Burke overcame Denmark 7-5 after an extra end.
Britain’s medal tally of three golds and one silver at the Games makes it their best result at a Winter Olympic event.
Although they won a total of five medals at the Winter Olympics in both 2014 and 2018, each time that included just one gold.
GB have now won 10 medals at Winter Youth Olympics including the five golds.
Mum, Emma Carrick-Anderson, has launched a Go Fund Me page to raise money for the Zak and his brothers Freddy and Luca as they follow their sporting dreams.
Before Zak’s medals it had raised £3,025 of its £10,000 target.
That has now risen to £7,510 (Thursday 25th January) after his success at Gangwon.
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.
More to follow…
