New Foundation to Support British Ski Talent

30th November 2024

GB Snowsport has launched the GBS Alpine Foundation, a new initiative to support young British ski talent in the buildup to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics and beyond. NEW

The fund will provide supporters with a means to directly impact the efforts of Britain’s high-performance Alpine ski team and will support the sport’s most promising young British talent.

The longer-term aim will then be to support some of the country’s most promising Europa Cup and younger Alpine talent.

“For many years there has been considerable support for British Alpine ski racing programs, alongside support from UK Sport, from several individuals,” said the GBS Alpine Foundation Chairman, Nick Robinson.

“The Foundation aims to bring these people together, creating a network of passionate supporters.

“The US ski team has had a foundation in operation since 1964; we hope to create one that is equally influential.”

Image c/o GBS Alpine Foundation

Last season the alpine team finished sixth in the Men’s Slalom World Cup Nations Cup, ahead of nations such as Italy, the USA, Canada and Sweden.

Dave Ryding was seventh in the world.

Dave Ryding is 7th best slalom skier in the world

Last weekend Ryding took another top ten position as he finished seventh in the slalom in Gurgl in Austria.

PlanetsKI was in the resort for the event:

Dave Ryding in the Top Ten

PlanetSKI’s James Cove interviewed Dave after the race and that video can be found at the end of this article.

“Our aim is to ensure there is a consistent level of funding season after season, not just for the World Cup program, but for the lower levels too.,” Juliet Foster, said GB Snowsport Alpine Discipline Committee Chair, Juliet Foster.

“It will take time to build the Foundation up to a level where this is possible, but the founding board members are motivated to do so, and we look forward to welcoming new members through the course of this winter and beyond.”

The Foundation has already attracted support from eight donors, each of whom has contributed upwards of £20,000, with hopes to sign more donors as the season progresses.

All the money raised will be ring-fenced to support the Alpine team.

“We know just how much Alpine skiing means to so many British Snowsport fans, and we know there’s so much passion to support the team who’ve been consistently delivering for years now at the very top of the sport,” said the GB Snowsport Chief Executive, Vicky Gosling. Executive.

“The generosity of all of the Foundation donors will directly support the team from day one of this season, and we’re hugely grateful for their backing, and for the backing of all future donors.”

GBS Alpine Foundation Founding Board Members

Nick Robinson (CEO of Maison Sport)
Anthony Cross (fund manager)
The Davies family
Eric Martineau-Fortin (CEO and founder of White Star Capital)
Mark Quinn (CEO of Quinn Estates)
Luke Steyn OLY
Gareth Williams (founder of Skyscanner)
Sam Wrench (Grammy-nominated Director)

For more information on how to support the GBS Alpine Foundation, please visit https://gbsnowsport.com/about-us/alpine-foundation/ or contact Juliet Foster, GB Snowsport AlpineDiscipline Committee Chair, on juliet.foster@gbsnowsport.com

As promised, James Cove speaking to Dave Ryding in the Gurgl Media Centre after his Top Ten in Gurgl, Austria.

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