GB’s Freddy Carrick-Smith Comes 12th in Opening World Cup Race of the Season
25th October 2026
It was an astonishing performance in Soelden, Austria, for the 19-year old and a glimpse of the talent he possess. It is the best GS result for a British skier since the competition began. UPDATED
Freddy, along with his brothers Zak and Luca, are seen as the future of men’s alpine skiing for GB Snowsports.
Judging by today’s performance it is not hard to see why.
Freddy started in 46th place and put in a blistering first run to not only reach the Top 30, but also finished in 21st position – just outside the Top 20.
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His second run pushed him up the table and he fended just outside the Top Ten.
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“A huge thanks to all those that have supported myself and my two brothers Luca and Zak on this journey, there have been some very special people that have helped me and my brothers along this journey,” said Freddy after the race.
“Without that support over the years, today would not have been possible.
“I’m stoked that I was able to put down two good runs and open another World Cup GS spot for my brother.
“It feels like all the hard work over the summer is really paying off and to get this result in the first race of the season and only my 5th ever World Cup start means so much.
“It’s exciting to be competing against the very best in the world, but now with a result like this, I know I can compete at the very highest level.
“I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season, it has only just started.”
- 19-year-old records the best British men’s World Cup giant slalom result since the FIS World Cup competition began in 1967
- Carrick-Smith moves up from joint 21st after the first run to finish 12th in Austria
- It’s a historic record breaking day for British skiing and alongside his brothers, Zak and Luca, Freddy has put down the marker in a new era of British ski racing
“One year on from making his World Cup debut in Sölden, Freddy Carrick-Smith is back with a personal best World Cup finish,” said GB Snowsport.
“His first-ever World Cup second run, and just 1.26 seconds off the leader.
“Huge breakthrough for the 19-year-old,” GB Snowsport added.
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The result underlines the potential of Freddy against the world’s leading giant slalom racers at the very start of the new season.
His performance also improves on Charlie Raposo’s career-best World Cup giant slalom finish of 16th at Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, in March 2022.
It is set to be an interesting season for Team Carrick-Smith and GB alpine ski racing fans.
Their coach and mother, Emma Carrick-Anderson, said: “We are really looking forward to the challenges of this season, with more World Cup and Europa Cup races taking place, we are going to be busy organising training and logistics for all three boys in a winter season that also includes the world championships”.
Mother Emma, Freddy Carrick-Smith, father, Phil. Image c/o Team Carrick-Smith.
The Carrick-Smith Brothers. Image c/o FIS
PlanetSKI is proud to have support Team Carrick-Smith since its earliest days.
Our senior reporter, Jane Peel, posted a full-length feature on the boys back in 2018 as they showed early promise:
Carrick-Smith boys in 2018. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI’s Jane Peel with the Carrick-Smith boys in December 2018. Photo © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI readers have been quick to react over on the PlanetSKI Facebook Page.
Here are just a few of the comments:
Mark Coccker – Fantastic result – what a start to the season.
Beverley Watts – Excellent job done today, well done. Keep it up.
Alistair King – Amazing result. Your skiing was on.
Sarah Jane Villarreal – Go Freddy! Go Team Carrick-Smith! Inspired and inspiring performance. Delighted!!
David Francis – A true World Clàss result.
Shona Anderson – Dynamite!
Jon Bailey – Fantastic and look forward to the next family achievement!
Kathy Witts – Great result!
Nigel Street – Absolutely fabulous for all concerned.
David Locke – We have some great youngsters coming through Freddy, Luca. Laurie, Molly and Billy.
Diane Baine – Well done Freddy & Team Carrick-Smith.
Mike Barker – Great skiing and composure. Just a DAZ sponsorship needed now to stay bright.
Ross Barbour – Just amazing result. Well done to the whole team.
Ben Amos – Great work Freddy.
Kevin Shaw – Wonderful News .. look forward to following your progress throughout the season.
Ian Findlater – Congratulations to you Freddy and your team mainly ( Mum @ Dad ). Your support team has stuck by you and you are now delivering. It’s great to see GB Snowsports on the up and I am sure your brothers will be up there too. Well done.
Gary Taylor – This kid is going places! Great result and great to follow the families progress over the years. Now let’s cheer for Laurie and Billy and Molly.. so much for GB ski fans to look forward to this season!
Team Carrick-Smith. Image © Team Carrick-Smith.
Team Carrick-Smith is still searching for funding to carry them through this season.
If you would like to join the journey and support team, you can do so by donating to their GoFundMe fund: gofund.me/1a790678e
Every little helps!
Here are the Top Ten results from Soelden:
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Will a Carrick-Smith be in a Top Ten in a World Cup race this season?
It now looks like a realistic possibility.
See here for our full report on the weekend races in Soelden and the World Cup season ahead:
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