18 Year Old GB Ski Racer Makes World Cup Debut

7th October 2025

Last modified on October 27th, 2025

He competed in the season opening race at Sölden in Austria.

He wore bib number 67 (out of 73) and completed his first run ending up in 54th place.

It was not enough to make the second run as only the Top 30 go through, but he will have gained valuable experience and it marks an exciting new chapter in his racing career.

 

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The race was won by Marco Odermatt from Switzerland who interestingly also made his World Cup debut aged 18 years old.

It was a GS race in St Moritz in 2016 and he came 22nd.

Three years later Odermatt was on the podium.

Freddy Carrick-Smith, along with his brothers Zak and Luca, are the brightest prospects in GB racing for a generation.

They were at the London Snow Show earlier this month and Freddy gave this thoughts ahead of his World Cup debut:

He joins a group of British male skiers that have competed in the discipline since the modern era of the FIS World Cup events started in 1967.

The list includes Konrad Bartelski, Graham and Martin Bell and more recently, Charlie Raposo who retired at the end of the 2024 winter season.

Freddy’s pathway to the World Cup has included:

• A gold medal at the 2025 European Youth Olympic Festival (Bakuriani, Georgia)
• First place (under 18 category) at the 2025 World Juniors in Tarvisio, Italy, in both the slalom and giant slalom disciplines.

He is part of a skiing family that includes his twin brother Zak and older brother Luca (20), both also competing for Great Britain in Alpine ski racing disciplines.

His parents, Phil Smith (former English ski champion and founder of Snoworks Ski Courses) and Emma Carrick-Anderson (4 times Olympic ski racer) are their full time coaches.

“This is a huge moment for Freddy and an achievement that will be recognised as one of the most significant in British ski racing history,” said Emma Carrick-Anderson ahead of the race in Soelden.

“We have always struggled to produce giant slalom skiers because it’s such a challenge to train for the discipline and it’s so technical.

“The fact Freddy has been able to reach this milestone at such a young age is very rare.

“Stepping up to the World Cup level is not easy and the course in Sölden is brutal, with hard packed ice on a steep slope that finishes in a vast amphitheatre with thousands of screaming ski fans – the atmosphere there is incredible.

“Freddy’s achievement is made even more impressive by the fact we are almost entirely self-funded – but we have a huge opportunity and to get to this level at this stage is a dream come true for all of us”.

Emma Carrick-Anderson. Image c/o Team Carrick-Smith.

The FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup Giant Slalom took place in Sölden, Austria, on Saturday October 25th (women) and Sunday October 26th (men).

Freddy Carrick-Smith. Image c/o Team Carrick-Smith.

Previous GB Male skiers that have entered a FIS World Cup Giant Slalom race at or before the age of 18:

• Konrad Bartelski: 1971, age 16, Crans-Montana (Switzerland)
• Martin Bell: 1981, age 16, Schladming (Austria)

If you wish to help fund Freddy and Team Carrick-Smith see here:

• Three promising young GB ski racers need your help

Image c/o Team Carrick-Smith.

Long-time readers of PlanetSKI will be familiar with the story of Zak, Luca and Freddy.

PlanetSKI’s Jane Peel met up with them back in 2018:

• Boy racers 

We have been following their progress since:

• GB alpine squads announced
• Congratulations to Zak Carrick-Smith
• Another gold for Team GB at Youth Winter Olympics

Freddy’s profile on GB Snowsport: gbsnowsport.com/athlete/freddy-carrick-smith

About Team Carrick Smith 

Team Carrick-Smith is a British alpine ski racing family based in the Alps throughout the winter, committed to competing at the highest international level.

The team comprises three brothers — Freddy, Zak, and Luca — supported by their parents, Phil Smith (ski coach) and Emma Carrick-Anderson (4 times Olympic skier), who manage and oversee their development both on and off the slopes.

The brothers have each established themselves across junior and senior circuits, achieving notable results in European Cups, national championships, and international events.

Team Carrick-Smith trains year-round, combining on-snow sessions in the Alps with dryland conditioning and technical development.

Their approach blends traditional ski racing techniques with modern sports science, allowing them to maximise performance while managing the demands of elite competition.

With clear ambitions to secure World Cup points, represent Great Britain at major championships, and continue pushing the limits of British alpine skiing, Team Carrick-Smith offers sponsors a highly visible and professional platform.

Their dedication, family-led support structure, and competitive pedigree make them a unique and compelling partner in the world of winter sports.

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