Where to Ski And Snowboard - Chemmy Alcott to train with Norway

Chemmy Alcott to train with Norway

12th June 2013, by Abi Butcher

Britain's top alpine skier will train with the Norwegian ski team before Sochi 2014

Britain’s top alpine skier Chemmy Alcott is to train with the Norwegian ski team in the run-up to the Winter Olympics in Sochi next February.

Miss Alcott, 30, has trained with the Canadian team for the past three seasons but has signed a new contract to ski with Norway in the run up to the Winter Olympics. Her decision is funding-based — despite being the UK’s top alpine skier she receives no funding from UK Sport and supports herself through sponsorship deals.

“I would never ever leave my country. This is just the strange situation to get there,” she told BBC Sport.

Miss Alcott has already qualified to compete for Team GB in Sochi, and hopes to better the 11th placing she has achieved at two previous Winter Games. She will be working with Norway’s head coach Stefan Abplanalp to achieve her goal of a top-eight result.

“I used to get really bitter and it used to make me really sad that I was ranked eighth in the world and not getting any money from UK Sport but I’ve got used to it now,” said Miss Alcott. “This is my last Olympics and it could be my last season skiing. I’ve got a lot to prove and I don’t want to waste any energy on fighting the system anymore.

“So I’m just going out there with my head down and my focus on achieving my best result ever at Sochi. That’s the aim and always has been.”

Britain’s top alpine skier will train and line up with the Norwegian team at World Cup events but will compete for Team GB in Russia next February.