In sports there are winners and losers. The ‘taking part’ is no longer in our psyche. We want success and with it instant gratification.
Success must breed success and without it an athlete’s shelf life – let alone sport – can be a short lived. Yet British alpine skiing continues to buck the trend. Indeed, despite little visible success from our skiers on the slopes as a fringe sport it still gets more than its fair share of TV coverage.
With the exception of Alan Baxter ‘s bronze medal at the 2002 Salt Lake City which was snatched back after he failed a drugs test (later found to be methampetamine from a Vicks’ inhaler) Britain has never come even close to turning out a winning alpine ski champion. Indeed, in the record books, Martin Bell’s historic 8th position in the Downhill at Calgary over 12 years ago remains the best result for a British male skier in Olympic history.
So against such odds why do are our home grown skiers continue to strive for that elusive success in far off foreign lands? After all, as this remains a minority leisure pursuit let alone sport, fame and fortune is unlikely to ever be a bright light at the end of the tunnel.
Former Twickenham girl and Surbiton High School pupil, 28 year old Chemmy Alcott is Britain’s No. 1 skier, ranked 8th in the world and is currently the only British woman competing in this year’s World Cup events.
From being World Children’s Ski Champion at 13 to now a veteran of three Winter Olympics she would be the first to say how lucky she is to be able to pursue a career that is also her passion. However, with it comes extra pressures and one of the biggest is the ever uncertainty of ongoing support and funding. Few will forget that earlier this year Snowsport GB) went into administration just one week before the Winter Olympics leaving the sport in disarray.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Related stories:
Sportsister tests: Roxy Sno Fit
Snowboarding: Norway to host first World Snowboarding Championships in 2012
Sportsister meets Zoe Gillings
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
When asked whether this affected her performance, Ms Alcott said: “Yes definitely. I don’t want to make excuses but the fact of the matter is I tried to take British skiing’s future on my shoulders during the Games instead of just performing for me and going out and doing my best. It was a really tough time. You spend 4 years working for something and then at the last minute you are thrown a massive curve ball! Not ideal!”
Ironically this happening at such a high profile event may finally bring the sport much needed stability and structure. The British Olympic Association (BOA) stepped in to lend 11th hour support in Vancouver and has since helped shape a new national governing body for skiing and snowboarding in Great Britain, British Ski & Snowboarding (BSS).
Key to BSS’s future success will be Dave Edwards, Chief Executive, who brings invaluable experience from professional rugby union and financial services. Looking at what is needed to move the sport forward he said: “Creating a clear vision and purpose to guide all action, establishing and managing a team who are committed and motivated to achieve the vision and then managing the resources (particularly the finances) tightly”.
Vital is bringing more money into winter sports and the BSS will be lobbying for a share of lottery funding. “The Olympic summer sports have received enhanced funding since the successful London Olympic bid. Is it now the turn of winter sports?” asked Mr Edwards. He continued: “We will also seek a combination of Commercial Sponsorship, Patronage and funding from recreational skiers. We will promote the brand awareness, Corporate Hospitality and CSR opportunities that the British Ski and Snowboard teams can provide to companies and organisations and individuals”.
Commenting on the BSS and the sport’s future, Ms Alcott said: “I think we are in a great position right now full of opportunity and I hope that all the hard work and effort people are putting in pays off. We have proved, despite everything we can still be up there with the best so just imagine what we would do if we had the funding levels of our peers!”
Undoubtedly money talks but it alone will never buy success and we should not forget the ‘Brit Grit’ factor. Combine the two and perhaps one day we’ll see a British skier at the top of the winners’ podium. Better we try than Eddie the Eagle’s 70 metre ski jump being remembered as our ‘highest’ achievement on the mountainside!
Eddie Ottman, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
Image credit: Racer Ready www.racer-ready.co.uk
