Levi 2025 will see four British alpine racers take to the start list of an World Cup Slalom for the first time. British ski racing fans have become accustomed to seeing Dave Ryding and then he was joined by Laurie Taylor and Billy Major. This year sees Luca Carrick-Smith join the team of four racing on the World Cup.
Carrick-Smith has earned his spot on the start list after winning the Bronze medal in the World Junior Championships last season and earning a spot in the top 150 in the world that means he can race on the World Cup. Last season Carrick-Smith won four slaloms as well as the bronze in the World Junior Championships and is currently ranked 82 in the World. With Taylor ranked 32 and Major ranked 34, all three are looking to keep the rich heritage of British Slalom ski racing going.
Luca's brother, Freddy, made his debut in the Giant Slalom in Soelden yet Luca is a different beast to his brother. Definitely the quieter of the three Carrick-Smith boys, Luca is determined, fiercely competitive and has his goals set out in his head. While Freddy was "excited" about racing at Soelden, Luca has been more restrained in his public comments since the decision was made for him to race in Levi.
Will this be a one start and then back to the Europas Cup tour, results will dictate this. There are some who feel he needs to earn his way on to the World Cup through the Europa Cup tour where as others feel that if he is good enough to race on the World Cup, he should go for it. What is for certain is that the only way he will lower his points and thus bettering his start place is by getting results. If the results come from the Europa Cup tour or the World Cup, who will argue?
Carrick-Smith raced on the Europa Cup races in Levi last winter, he failed to finish the first run on either race but he will have learnt how the hill reacts. Add the TV crews, the increased media and fans and this is a great opportunity for the next generation of racers to start out on their World Cup career.
And what does Carrick-Smith himself think: "So exited to be competing in my first world cup this weekend, it’s always been a dream, a goal of mine to be competing against the best in the world at the highest level."
With Ryding on his final year of racing and with Taylor and Major able to pass on their knowledge, Carrick-Smith is not there just to make up the numbers. Luca does have a reputation for win or bust but at this level you cannot just go for the ride. There will only be one thing on the mind of the 20 year old and that is to qualify for the second run.
There will be one man beaming with pride when he sees the start list and that is CEO of Quinn Estates, Mark Quinn. Through his company, Quinn supports (as well as numerous others) all four racers and has been a major influence and benefactor in getting all four racers to this stage. British Ski racing is indebted to his support.
How good would it be for British skiing - hopefully four racers on the start list for run 2..... fingers crossed!
Picture GB Snowsport Facebook page