Time to look at the selection for World Champs - who could be going for GB?

They can be contentious, they can be straight forward selections for the major events. With five British racers having raced this winter on the World Cup, there are certain spots that will be no brainers. With Britain getting four places for each discipline, the selectors sitting down this week will have a tough job trying to fit all those that have made the criteria fit into just four spots.

The men’s slalom will see Dave Ryding (going for his 9th World Championships), Laurie Taylor (going for his 5th) and Billy Major (going for his 4th) all as shoe-ins for three of the spots. Who fits the last place?

With six other racers all vying for this one place, this will be a hard call. All three of the Carrick-Smith brothers (Luca, Freddy and Zak) have made the 35.00 criteria comfortably but then you also have Ed Guigonnet, Rob Holmes and Calum Langmuir having made the criteria. This will be a tough call. What is certain is that the fourth racer selected will have to qualify for the main race as only the top 50 on the entries get automatic starts in the main race.

It is understood that the Carrick Smith twins are focusing on the EYOF Championships this year as it is the last time they can enter those and hopefully will have more opportunities for the World Championships.

When it comes to the Giant Slalom selection, things are a little more open. Langmuir could get the call for his second World Championships with also the Carrick Smith Twins, Freddy and Zak, also in the mix having made the criteria.Add to this Jack Irving and Owen Vinter the future is looking exciting in Giant Slalom as well.

For the fourth spot, this is where GB Snowsport could have one eye on the future by taking one of the rising talents coming through the system. Both Lewis Parton and Emerson Proctor have not quite made the criteria for this years Championships but if they were to be taken to give them the experience for future Championships, this would also fill a spot.

Britain has a strong pedigree in the speed events: From Konrad Bartelski, Martin Bell, Graham Bell and Finlay Mickel, amongst others. The current speed racers racing under the GB Snowsport banner are battling the system - there is no programme for them at the moment.

Owen Vinter and Elliott Bennett, both based up in Norway and Max Laughland, training with Apex 2100, are all chasing the path being set by Roy Steudle. Steudle has had problems with injury over the last year but recently hit great form in winning the Super G in Santa Catarina (scoring 23 points) and then also scoring well in the Downhill.

For the Women’s team, Victoria Palla and Reece Bell have both raced on the World Cup this season. While neither have scored points on the World Cup, both have scored strong FIS points this season and should get the nod. Who to fill the remaining two places?

Molly Butler, Abi Bruce and Liv Howeson have all made the 35.00 criteria so it will be interesting to see who the selectors fill into the remaining spots in the Women’s Slalom.

Giselle Gorringe scored two sub 30 point results in the Far Eastern Cup this season to make the criteria with Maisie Blyth also having made the mark as well.

The team event this year has a new format with one run of either Downhill or Super G by one racer and another run of Slalom giving a combined time. Out has gone the fans favourite, the head to head racing.

There will always be some who will say that you should only send those that have made the criteria to major championships otherwise what is the point of having the criteria. The counter argument to this is why not give some of the potential that is coming through the ranks the opportunity to experience racing in front of the TV cameras, the crowds and the media barrage. It is a huge step up from a FIS race to a Europa Cup race and then to the World Cup and beyond.

With the size of the team also affecting the money that the federation receives from the TV money, giving racers the opportunity will also help the bank balance for the Federation as a whole.

Selection for the British team will be announced this Friday, 17 January.

The World Championships in Saalbach Hinterglemm take place between February 3 - 16

Picture Billy Major competing at Adelboden January 2025, Credit Zoom Agence

about author