GB Snowsport Celebrates Success of its Alpine Skiers
10th May 2024
Last modified on May 16th, 2024
Despite limited funding the team had one of its best seasons ever. In a night of celebration in Mayfair its patron, HRH Prince Edward, attended to congratulate all involved. PlanetSKI was the only media outlet invited to attend.
Last winter the slalom skier Dave Ryding took a 7th World Cup podium of his career and finished as joint 7th in the world alongside the Swiss legend, Daniel Yule.
It was his best ever season, and all at the age of 37.
Dave Ryding in Schladming, Jan 2024. Image © PlanetSKI
There were other notable successes with GB’s two other male slalom skiers, Billy Major and Laurie Taylor, doing well.
In Gurgl, in the Austrian Tirol, Billy set a personal best with a 16th place finish.
In Kitzbuhel all three racers were in the Top 20.
Dave and Laurie both took top-10 finishes at the Aspen Slalom World Cup, putting two Brits inside an Alpine World Cup top-10 for the first time since 1968, and a first ever time in slalom.
The result confirmed Britain would finish sixth in the overall Men’s Slalom standings, ahead of some of the world’s most renowned Alpine nations.
The future looks bright for the alpine team with a new generation of racers coming through.
16-year old Zak Carrick-Anderson won three medals at the Youth Olympic Games, including two golds.
Zak Carrick-Smith. Photo Credit: Sam Mellish / Team GB
His twin brother Freddy, and elder brother Luca, are also significant hopes for the future, alongside Molly Butler.
Here at PlanetSKI we have been following the journey of the Carrick-Smith boys for a while.
Our chief reporter, Jane Peel, spent some time with them back in 2018 as their potential was clear to see:
Carrick-Smith boys in 2018. Image © PlanetSKI
With the World Championships next year, and the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics the following winter in 2026 the stage is set for GB’s alpine racers to shine.
PlanetSKI’s editor, James Cove, was priviledged to be the only ski journalist invited to the private event as the success was marked.
“Whatever happens, this truly is a golden moment for the GB Alpine ski team, and we should all cherish the moment and look forward to the future,” said James.
“Just to be able to be at some of the slalom races in the Alps as I am fortunate to do, or watching it all on the TV knowing we could be on the podium is as good as it gets in my book.
“It’s an absolute honour to be celebrating tonight with the athletes.”
These were the athletes present:
- Dave Ryding
- Billy Major
- Zak Carrick-Smith
- Freddy Carrick-Smith
- Luca Carrick-Smith
- Molly Butler
- Charlie Guest
- Charlie Raposo
The event was hosted by the law firm, Brown Rudnick, at its office in Mayfair as Brown Rudnick is acting on a pro-bono basis for GB Snowsports.
(Just in case you are wondering pro-bono means ‘for the public good’ and refers to professional services provided at no, or very low cost.)
The Guest of Honour was HRH Prince Edward – the Royal Patron of GB Snowsport.
He chatted to the current slalom skiers, Dave Ryding and Billy Major, passing on his congratulations and thanks.
The Prince showed a real knowledge and understanding of their achievements.
Celebrating GB alpine athletes. Image © PlanetSKI
He met the veteran GB ski racers, Alain Baxter and Konrad Bartelski.
Celebrating GB alpine athletes. Image © PlanetSKI
Celebrating GB alpine athletes. Image © PlanetSKI
And then the next generation – the teenagers, who offer a bright future for GB alpine skiing:
Celebrating GB alpine athletes. Image © PlanetSKI
Celebrating GB alpine athletes. Image © PlanetSKI
The Prince congratulated them all on their achievements and was enthusiastic with his praise of what they have achieved so far and the potential ahead.
The Prince had another event to attend, hence his black tie, but made it clear he wanted to be a part of the special night of celebration for GB Snowsport.
He even missed the pre-event drinks at his following engagement to be with GB Snowsport, and stayed to pose for photos with all involved.
Celebrating GB alpine athletes. Image © PlanetSKI
The CEO of GB Snowsport, Vicky Gosling OBE, was full of praise for the achievements of the GB slalom skiers.
Celebrating GB alpine athletes. Image © PlanetSKI
“It has been an incredible season and it is hard to put into words their determination and drive,” she said.
“It is looking good as we head towards the World Championships next season and then the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.”
She admitted the team did not do well at the last Winter Olympics in Beijing in 2022, but she said there is much to look forward to at Milan-Cortina 2026.
“We bombed at the last Winter Olympics and didn’t do as well as we hoped, but Brexit and Covid simply didn’t give us enough access time to the slopes.”
Celebrating GB alpine athletes. Image © PlanetSKI
Celebrating GB alpine athletes. Image © PlanetSKI
“What our Alpine skiers have achieved over the last two years has been extraordinary, and it has taken incredible efforts on behalf of the whole team to reach this point,” Vicky added.
“We want to see this team and the next generation of athletes continue to thrive at the highest levels of the sport, and I would really urge potential investors or supporters to reach out to us to become a part of this remarkable journey.”
GB Snowsport is actively inviting interested sponsors or investors to contact partnerships@gbsnowsport.com for a discussion around investment into the British Alpine programme.
She highlighted the success of GB’s other snowsport athletes across other disciplines including:
- Mia Brookes (snowboard)
- Zoe Atkin (snowboard)
- Jaz Taylor (telemark)
- Andrew Musgrave (cross country)
- Charlotte Bankes (snowboard cross)
- Menna Fitzpatrick & Katie Guest (paraski)
Ed Drake, former team GB alpine skier who represented the country at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, chaired a panel discussion with Dave Ryding and Billy Major.
Celebrating GB alpine athletes. Image © PlanetSKI
“First of all I would like to thank all our sponsors, volunteers and supporters,” said Dave.
“This season was a team effort and I am simply spearheading a great team.
“It is only a matter of time before Billy and Laurie are regular Top 15 finishers as we all have that passion and work ethic to go that extra mile and never say ‘no’.
“I am proud of our results and what is behind them.
“The next 20 years for British slalom skiing are going to be exciting with all the talent coming through.”
Dave is back next winter, but admits it will be tough.
There is the small matter of his long-time coach, Tristan Glasse-Davies, joining the US Team as head slalom coach.
Glasse-Davies has been key in Ryding’s slalom career, coaching him to become one of the top slalom skiers in the world.
“I wish him well, but not success,” joked Dave.
“I will miss him, but it is what it is, and I am sure he will do a good job in America.”
Then a certain 35-year old Austria ski racer named Marcel Hirscher is back, but this time racing for Holland as his mother is Dutch.
“I raced against Marcel alot and even beat him when we skied head-to-head.
“He’s probably seen me still doing it at 37, and thought he’d see if he could do it too!”
Celebrating GB alpine athletes. Image © PlanetSKI
“The bond in the team is what makes it so very special,” said Billy.
“Kitzbuhel really was special when we all came in the Top 20 and I will cherish it forever.”
“I’m really looking forward to racing in Levi in Finland next year as I have never raced there as it has been off the circuit for the past few years.
“If I see a new race on the calendar then I’m excited.”
Celebrating GB alpine athletes. Image © PlanetSKI
We leave the last word to Dave Ryding.
“I am a massive believer in what is coming through with such talent in the three Carrick-Smith brothers and Molly Butler.
“The next 20 years should be really exciting and I will be watching the next group of athletes come through.
“British slalom skiing is in a good place and we need to keep knocking on the door and working things forward.”
UPDATED:
There has been some reaction from PlanetSKI readers over on the PlanetSKI Facebook page:
Peter Lewis – Looks like a great event and well deserved. I can’t remember when the GBR ski team had such strength in depth. There seem to be some promising young Bells and Baxters in the wings too (judging by the British Champs results).
Robin Kellen – Fabulous work by everyone involved in the real success story.
Kathy Davison – Excellent results by everyone, without lottery funding, pure passion for their sport
Ian Findlater – Great to see all these great athletes and up and coming athletes, But where is Nick Fellows? His contribution to Alpine Snowsports has been at a different level over many years now, he should be in there with the best of them.
Related Articles:
- GB Snowsport look back on successful season
- Provisional dates for alpine ski world cup released
- Ryding calls for slalom races to be moved to higher altitudes
