GB Freeski
GBFreeski is the dedicated freeski disciplinary division of British Ski and Snowboard, the governing body for snowsports in Great Britain. We promote participation in, and the advancement of freestyle snowsports in Great Britain, and provide support to British athletes competing internationally across the competitive circuit in preparation for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi.
Through our performance programme and coaching structure, GBFreeski develops year-round structured program to provide support, guidance and coaching for all our athletes, paving the way for Britain’s elite freeskiers to continue on their journey to the top.
The Team
The GB Freeski Team includes the top British halfpipe and slopestyle skiers in the country. These athletes have already emerged as a credible force in this sport internationally.
GB Freeski has talent representing Great Britain at the highest level – with numerous World Cup medals, podiums at the Euro X Games, promising results at the inaugural Junior Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, 2012 and other major events across the world.
GB Freeski’s current leading athlete, James Woods, was crowned World Cup Champion in slopestyle skiing for the 2012-2013 season – the first British winter sport athlete to earn such a title. Following this seasons results James Woods is also ranked World No. 1 in the Olympic qualifying table.
As well as the elite Team, GB Freeski’s national Development Squad provides the pathway for junior athletes to international competition directly supporting the future of British Winter Olympic Snowsports teams.
More information on The Team, here. For more Team results, here .
GBR + Freeskiing
Freeskiing is one of the fastest growing winter sports, gaining significant momentum and profile globally. The British Freeski scene, just like the global scene, has taken off and experienced massive growth in the last few years.
There are now more than 50 Freeski Ski clubs and training camps across the country which provide opportunities for aspiring athletes of all ages to get involved in the sport (see here).
Before the announcement was made that freeskiing would make its Olympic debut at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games, British freeskiing and its athletes received no funding or support, other than from personal sponsors. Following the announcement by the IOC and GB Freeski athlete’s proven results, UK Sport have invested in supporting GB Freeski athletes, James Woods and Katie Summerhayes. This support had been crucial and fundamental to achieving the results they have in the 2012-2013 season.
“The Fridge Kids”
The GB Freeski Team, otherwise known as “The Fridge Kids” have captured the attention of competitor nations and the media with their story.
The affectionate label, “The Fridge Kids” refers to the nature of the GB Freeski Team’s indoor training facilities, where our athletes are homegrown talent learning to ski from grassroots in the United Kingdom. It is no surprise that the Team have been compared to the likes of the Jamaican bobsleigh team, in reference to their major geographical disadvantage in the sport.
“The Fridge Kids” are more than a nice story, but are extremely talented young athletes with the results to back that they are serious forces to be reckoned with. These athletes are not only competing against the best in the world, but they are some of the best in the world (see results).
From a country without ski resorts, where athletes have learnt to ski at indoor centres and on dry-slopes, the deduction, passion and commitment of these athletes is obvious. There is no mistaking why Mike Douglas, the freeskiing legend and from whom the concept of freeskiing emerged, said “Great Britain is where to find the soul of freeskiing”.?
A journey from artificial ski slopes in the United Kingdom, to international podiums and the upcoming Olympic stage, the “Fridge Kids” have put Great Britain on the world freeski map, despite its geography.
Profile
In parallel, GB Freeski’s profile has catapulted into the limelight. Recent press coverage includes: BBC (online, radio, TV), ESPN, Eurosport, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Times, The Metro, The Express, The Mail, Orange Sport, TeamgB, Freeskier Magazine, Fall Line Magazine, Newschoolers.com, downdays.eu, InsideTheGames, Press Association, International Business Times, InTheSnow etc.
Please see Latest News, here.
