The Brit Six is setting new standards

Previously the British Alpine team has had three different athletes score in a World Cup season six times. During the 2019/20 season, the British team set a national record with four athletes scoring. During the 2021/22 season, we witnessed the Brit Six. A record six British skiers scored Alpine World Cup points this year. Charlie Raposo became the first British male to score Giant Slalom World Cup points since 1968. And to top the season off, Dave Ryding became the first British Alpine skier to win an Alpine World Cup. It was a year of new accomplishments and national records falling—all reasons for champagne and caviar. GB Snowsports, however, continues to face significant financial challenges.

First, let’s celebrate by meeting the Brit Six and reviewing their 2021/22 World Cup performances.

Dave Ryding DOB: December 5th, 1986

Fischer athlete
Kandahar Ski Club
Won first Alpine World Cup on January 22nd, 2022, in the Kitzbühel, Austria SL
2nd Garmisch-Partenkirchen February 2, 2022
Ryding finished the season ranked 8th in SL and 11th on the World Cup SL Startlist.

Alex Tilley DOB: October 5th, 1993
Kaestle athlete
Team Evolution
Due to injury, Tilley only competed in one World Cup Giant Slalom this season, and she was fast, 13th in Soelden.

Charlie Guest DOB: December 30th, 1993
Fischer athlete
Scottish Ski Club-BSA
She had her best season in 2021/22
Guest scored World Cup points in 6 Slaloms
She finished 26 in the season SL standings and 27th on the World Cup Start list.

Charlie Raposo DOB: January 15th, 1996
Van Deer athlete
Global Racing Team
Raposo became the first British male to score Giant Slalom World Cup points since 1968.
He scored two days in a row in Kranjska Gora.
He also scored his very first World Cup points in the Parallel event in Lech/Zuers

Laurie Taylor DOB: February 10th, 1996
HEAD athlete
British Ski Academy
He Scored World Cup points this season in the Madona di Campiglio SL.

Billy Major DOB: November 21st, 1996
Fischer athlete
Major scored the first World Cup points of his career under the lights in Schladming, Austria, finishing 18th

There is, however, a rub. After a record-setting year, you would think that GB SnowSports’ financial resources would be growing. Increasing resources, however, is not the case. Instead, the team has experienced budget cuts. All the athletes but two continue to contribute 25,000 British Pounds, over 30,000 USD, to GB Snowsports to help fund their programs. For her reasons, Alex Tilley runs her team independently of GB Snowsports. When you see this group of outstanding skiers and staff, you will notice a lack of multiple sponsor patches on their outerwear. While, in my opinion, this looks aesthetically superior, the lack of sponsor patches on the outerwear tells you the financial story of the program.

The willingness of British athletes to pay the fees certainly shows a high level of commitment by the athletes and their families. However, it seems less than ideal that this team of successful national team athletes must pay a high price to participate.

The financial challenges in GB Snowsports make their nationally record-setting year even more impressive. Six British Alpine skiers scored Alpine World Cup points in a single season. Congratulations to the fine group that makes up the Brit Six.

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