The GBS Alpine Foundation held its first annual celebration of British ski racing in London on Saturday 3 October. The evening honoured the career of Dave Ryding. It was a great success: 120 guests attended and the night raised close to £70,000 for British alpine programmes. Former and current athletes were there, along with almost the full Foundation board.
Speaking on the evening, Nick Robinson, Chairman of the GBS Alpine Foundation, said:
“Just over two years ago, funding for British alpine skiing had hit rock bottom. Dave had just finished the season in the world’s top eight, yet I woke up to an article in The Times describing the plight of ski racing in this country. I’m a former ski racer myself, and I saw first-hand how destructive changes in funding can be.
“Through my company, Maison Sport, I’d spent two years helping the US Ski Team run donor programmes in Europe. The US team gets no government funding, so it built its own model. At its heart is a committed board whose members pay an annual fee to sit on it. Around that are exclusive events, a strong community and network, and the athletes’ friends and family. They started in the 1960s, so they have a decent head start on us. But I believe Britain has a huge opportunity to build something just as special.
“Since launching, we’ve built something similar, and we now have 15 board members giving £25,000 each. We’ve hosted dinners in Kitzbühel and Val d’Isère, and champagne receptions in London, at the British Alpine Championships and at the Olympics. It’s been lovely to see friendships form between athletes and board members. Together, the Foundation has now provided more than £750,000 to alpine programmes, and this season will exceed £300,000.
“So far our funds have gone to the World Cup men’s slalom team. We’ve now expanded that to include Freddy Carrick-Smith’s programme, and we hope to support the women’s team this winter. Our ultimate goal is a complete pathway from FIS level through to the World Cup.
“We hope tonight becomes an annual celebration of British ski racing, bringing the Foundation board together with athletes past and present. What better way to start that tradition than by celebrating the career of our greatest ever ski racer, Dave Ryding. Thank you to everyone who made this evening happen, and to all of you here who have backed this project from the start.”
About the GBS Alpine Foundation
The GBS Alpine Foundation was launched in October 2024 under GB Snowsport. It is the dedicated funding vehicle for elite British alpine skiing. Alpine athletes are not eligible for full UK Sport funding and depend heavily on sponsors and donors. The Foundation is modelled on the US Ski Team’s donor structure. Its board of 15 members each contribute £25,000, and that funding goes straight to Britain’s high-performance alpine team and its most promising young athletes, on top of existing team sponsorship and UK Sport investment.
The Foundation has provided more than £750,000 to date. It first supported the World Cup men’s slalom squad and has since added Freddy Carrick-Smith’s programme. Its long-term aim is a fully funded pathway from FIS level through Europa Cup to the World Cup. The Foundation is chaired by Nick Robinson, co-founder and CEO of Maison Sport.
To find out more or discuss becoming a donor, visit www.gbsalpinefoundation.com.