Where to Ski And Snowboard - Celebrities arrive in Austria for The Jump

Celebrities arrive in Austria for The Jump

4th January 2017, by Abi Butcher

Sir Bradley Wiggins announced yesterday he will compete in The Jump. Pic: TeamGB

A range of celebrities and sporting figures have arrived in Austria to start training for Channel 4’s winter sports show The Jump, including five-time Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins.

Sir Bradley, who announced his retirement from cycling last week, is one of 14 contestants to sign up this year. The 36-year-old says skiing is a “big passion” and seems unphased by the show’s injury rate among competitors — last year Beth Tweddle, Rebecca Adlingon and Tina Hobley sustained injuries.

The news that Sir Bradley Wiggins has joined the line-up that includes fellow Olympians Louis Smith and Jade Jones, and model Caprice Bourret will no doubt do remarkable things for the show’s viewing figures when it starts later this spring (no transmission date has been announced yet).

“I see this as a sporting challenge and want to go out there and win it,” said Sir Bradley. ” Skiing is a big passion of mine, it was a mix of that and the other committed names this year that made me want to sign up. Major retiring Olympians such as Sir Steve Redgrave have also trod this path.”

He added: “Just don’t call me a celebrity.”

Skier Warren Smith has coached contestants on The Jump since the show began in January 2014. Yesterday, the Warren Smith Ski Academy website announced: “Finally, we can shout about it! After weeks of being tight-lipped we can now say how excited we are to be coaching national treasure and sporting superstar Bradley Wiggins as part of #TheJump2017 on Channel 4.

“Stars from TV and sport arrive in Austria today to join the Academy team for the beginning of their on-mountain training. This follows two weeks of coaching at The Snow Centre and Chill Factore where they have worked through on-snow drills and exercises. As the training continues it will be super interesting to see how they all develop and more importantly who comes out on top!

“We are so excited to be involved once again on such an awesome project. We’ll be releasing some special behind the scenes video blogs and photos as the weeks go by, so stay tuned!”

The Jump 2017 line-up:

Caprice Bourret - model and entrepreneur
Lydia Bright - The Only Way Is Essex star
Kadeena Cox - Paralympic cycling and athletics medallist
Mark Dolan - comedian
Robbie Fowler - former Liverpool and England footballer
Josie Gibson - Big Brother 2010 winner
Jade Jones - Olympic taekwondo champion
Spencer Matthews - former Made In Chelsea star
Emma Parker-Bowles - TV presenter
Jason Robinson - former England rugby captain
Louis Smith - Olympic gymnast
Gareth Thomas - ex-Welsh rugby international player
Bradley Wiggins - retired Olympic cyclist
Vogue Williams - model, presenter and radio DJ