Six races. Four venues. 275 gates. 263 turns. And enough Dendix fibres to make you wonder if you'd accidentally taken half the slope home. The 2026 Copper Horse GBR Outdoor Series delivered everything we've come to expect from British dry slope racing – fierce competition, camaraderie and the usual debate over whose course was actually the hardest.
The series opened in Llandudno, the prettiest slope on the circuit, before heading north to the legendary Hillend, where racers were reminded that Scotland doesn't give away podium places for free. Pontypool followed with its own unique blend of technical skiing and a hike to the slope that had laden parents questioning their life choices. The finale at Silksworth for Races 5 and 6 brought the temperature back down, but the competition heated up. With overall and age-group titles still to be decided, every hundredth of a second suddenly mattered even more.
Throughout the summer, every venue demanded something different. Course setters kept racers honest with a mixture of flowing rhythm sections, tight combinations and just enough traps to punish anyone who switched off for half a gate. The overall winners were those who could adapt, attack and, most importantly, avoid discovering exactly how forgiving Dendix isn't and becoming an Instagram highlight.
The women's series belonged to Abigail Putman (U21), whose consistency was nothing short of exceptional. Five victories from six starts earned her a commanding 580/600 points and the overall title ahead of Daisy Putman (U21). Amy Wilson (SEN), whose quick feet and consistency completed the top 3 in the ladies.
The men's standings provided more drama. Remy Van Breugel (SEN) claimed the overall title after a consistent campaign, while Monty Bedwell (U21) had a strong start and end to the series to claim 2nd, followed by Marley Ward in 3rd.
Chloe Holland, Jolie Welsh, Phoebe Arnott, Harrison Harwood, Charlie Wilberforce-Marsh in U16 and Esme Whitehead in U14 all finished in the top 10, showing the next generation of racers is already knocking loudly on the door.
In the Minis races Allegra Gilmore and Georgina Crane took it down to the wire, tied after race 5 but Allegra edged ahead to claim the mini girls’ title, in the boys’ race Walter Harwood took the top step after an impressive summer.
The Copper Horse GBR Series once again proved that some of the hardest racing in Britain takes place on a plastic hillside with a burger van at the bottom. Dry slope racing has never been only about podiums. It remains one of Britain's most demanding, yet often overlooked, sports, combining fierce competition with a uniquely friendly atmosphere. Beyond the overall standings, every age group had its own stories as new names claimed GBR medals, racers earned hard-fought seed points, and damaged skis were compared afterwards with a pride normally reserved for battle scars.
No GBR season happens without an army of volunteers. A special mention goes to the race organisers, Scott Dobson for supporting his Dynastar tribe, and the SSE Ambassadors, radiant in pink and brilliantly championed by the effervescent Sally Corless.
Attention now turns to the championship races and chasing those zero-point wins where the racing will remain just as close, competition just as fierce, parents will develop temporary world cup coaching qualifications and someone will inevitably announce, "The slope feels slow today”. Some traditions, thankfully, never change. Until next time... keep your bindings tight and your line tighter.
Article written by Sam Whitehead