British snowsport athletes’ achievements celebrated at season launch event
GB Snowsport athletes’ achievements during the record-breaking 2022/23 season were celebrated by The Duke of Edinburgh, FIS Chair Johan Eliasch, and dozens of guests at a season launch event hosted by Fortnum & Mason.
Members of the team including Freestyle Snowboard World Champion mia Brookes and Alpine World Cup star Dave Ryding were joined by VIPs, team sponsors, GB Snowsport staff and longstanding supporters to celebrate the team’s remarkable achievements last season, and to look ahead to the impending 2023/24 season.
The celebration also marked an opportunity for new GB Snowsport Chair, Jason Cobbold, to introduce himself to British snowsport’s stakeholders and supporters, and for the organisation to pay tribute to outgoing Chair, Rory Tapner, whose eight-year term as Chair concluded this month.
As Royal Patron, The Duke of Edinburgh took the opportunity to individually congratulate athletes on their achievements of the past season, as well as acknowledging the efforts of coaches, staff, and supporters in delivering British success on the slopes.
FIS President Johan Eliasch shared his views on the successes within the British system, while Dave Ryding and Mia Brookes also gave their own personal reflections on the growth of British skiing and snowboard, adn the events of a history-making 2022/23 season.
As well as celebrating the successes of last season, the event also marked the beginning of the countdown towards the new World Cup season, which is due to get underway with the Chur Freeski and Freestyle World Cup and the Soelden Alpine World Cup competition later this month.