Pre-PyeongChang Team GB Alpine Round Up

Team GB Alpine

With the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games under way and the first races for our Team GB Alpine Athletes only days away. We have put together an Alpine Pre-Games blog for Team GB Alpine. In what is considerably the strongest Team GB in many games for Alpine it is certainly one not to miss!

So Ladies first…

Alex Tilley

The Gordons Skiers club member has certainly stepped up to the plate this season. Finishing in the top 30 in World Cup Giant Slalom 4 times out of a possible 7, which included a fantastic 13th place in Courchevel. Alex currently sits 28th on the World Cup GS Overall Standings, a position which any Racer, Brit or non-Brit can be proud of and take confidence from. Alex has shown she can mix it with the top ladies in the world on more than one occasion this season.

Her first run in the WC GS at Killington (USA) saw her jump from a start number of 32nd to 9th place, although the Scot was unable to take advantage on the second run, her blistering charge on the first run has shown Tilley is certainly one to keep an eye on in the Ladies GS and her future development in the Discipline.

Alex is also competing in the Ladies Slalom alongside team mate Chalie Guest. Tilley has yet to find her Slalom turns in WC this season. However, she has again displayed that the ability is very much there. With a win and numerous top 3 placings in Nor-Am Races towards the end of last season, so don’t count her out!

Charlie Guest

The road to PyeongChang has been a road to recovery for the 25 year old Racer. Suffering a broken back in late November 2015 whilst training in Sweden knocked Guest back a few steps in her development. But, it has not deterred Guest. She has been fighting her way back up the ranks and building confidence since returning to snow.

If it wasn’t for the latest technology of back protection, Guest could have found her self with serious damage to her spinal column and vertebrae when she crashed just over 3 years ago. So kids, make sure you wear your backboard!

The three time British Slalom Champ has been battling her way through World Cup, Europa Cup and tough FIS races producing a win in Levi and 3rd at Flachau. One thing is for sure. Charlie will be raring to go and fingers crossed she can strike from a higher bib number!

Laurie Taylor

Believe in youth. Since joining the British Europa Cup Squad in 2016 it’s been no looking back and full steam ahead for Taylor.

Laurie has had some very impressive results this season. A double FIS Race win up at Kuhtai (AUT) scoring twice around the 15.00 point mark. To add to his collection this winter, finishing 2nd and 6th place in two Far East Cup races earlier in January.  Which one of the races bagged him a 13.00 point result.

Its worth taking note the route that the ex BSA member is taking with the Europa Cup Squad. Mainly sticking to tough FIS Races in Europe, also battling it out in Europa Cup races also. Finishing around the top 30 mark regularly is a strong base to push on from. In the long term this route should prove to immensely help Laurie. It is a very similar route to which Dave Ryding took when he was trying to breach the gap between a good FIS racer to a World Cup top 30 regular. With this in mind it will be interesting to see how this experience will play in the next few seasons.

But back to the Games… With a fantastic 33rd place at the World Champs in St. Moritz last year. It is clear to see the event doesn’t get the better of Taylor and we can’t wait to see him charging his way down the course on the 22nd.

He also has an eye for a photo…

Dave Ryding

The Rocket. If you didn’t know of Dave until this article, where have you been?

Dave shocked the Ski Racing World last winter finishing 2nd Place in Kitzbuhel last season, behind who else, Marcel Hirscher. Finishing outside the Top 15 only once this season (19th in Val d’Isere) its clear to see that Dave is no one hit wonder.

Dave has beaten every racer in the world in his career after scalping Marcel Hirscher in the Parallel Slalom at Oslo. Moments later Ryding ended up crashing spectacularly. When it looked like he’d got it in the bag it, he took a heavy hit. This season has seen second run charges, which have set the fastest run for the second run. Dave has set the fastest first run also, so everything but that one podium or even win.

Ryding’s season has been consistent, but perhaps its been ultimately frustrating for the Lancashire Slalom Expert… But there is time yet… Its clear that Ryding has it in him to stand on the top spot. Perhaps the magic of the Olymipc Games might just do the trick. Dave is probably Britain’s best chance of an Olymipc Medal in slalom since the days of Alain Baxter. Falling on the second run in Levi whilst being within site of his first WC win was extremely gutting for Dave and his fans, but it gave the World a sight into what Dave can do on his day.

For sure, when the Rocket steps into the start gate on the 22nd of the month, everyone will be watching with respect!

Team Parallel

New to the Winter Olympic Games this year is the Team Parallel event. Parallel Racing is a great format and is full of excitement, anything can happen. It is fantastic to see Team GB Alpine entering a team and will be a thrilling finale for Team GB Alpine on the 24th!

Make sure you check out the Athletes Facebook pages, give them a follow and a like! Get your alarm clocks ready and TV sets ready to cheer Team GB on!

 

If you want to read more about Dave Ryding’s performance in Levi this season, check out our blog here:

A Performance for Britain to be Proud of!

If you want to read more about Parallel slalom you can check out our blog here:

Thrills of Parallel Slalom and Pendle Winter Race League

Got Something To Say?