Where to Ski And Snowboard - Extra funding given to British Olympic hopes

Extra funding given to British Olympic hopes

2nd July 2017, by Abi Butcher

Slalom skier Dave Ryding has been given funding, after finishing the season ranked 8th

Winter snowsports athletes heading to next year’s Winter Olympic and Paralympics have received a huge boost with extra funding from UK Sport. Alpine skier Dave Ryding, who last year finished second at a World Cup event in Kitzbühel, is among those to receive the extra financial boost in the run-up to next February’s Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.

UK Sport is the national body that distributes Government and National Lottery funding to top-level athletes. Following a successful 2017-18 winter season, UK Sport has invested a further £211,567 to British Ski and Snowboard, now supporting 16 athletes across three disciplines in their campaign to win a medal at PyeongChang 2018.

Along with the financial boost awarded to Dave Ryding, cross-country skiers Andrew Musgrave has received extra funding, following his fourth place finish at the Nordic World Ski Championships, as well as Freestyle skiers Izzy Atkin who took bronze at the World Championships.

Dan Hunt, performance director of British Ski and Snowboard, said the sport is “delighted and proud” to receive the additional funding which now means there are 16 skiers and snowboarders supported across three disciplines in the run-up to the Winter Olympics.

“The [extra funding] for Dave Ryding and Andrew Musgrave is testament to some solid world-class results from both of them, as well as years of hard work. Izzy Atkin also deserves [this added funding] after a phenomenal season which included a World Championships Bronze.

“We will work carefully to ensure this National Lottery investment is focused on maximising the performances of our world-class athletes ahead of and during PyeongChang 2018, and we are grateful to UK Sport for helping us on our way to Korea.”

On top of the funding for Ryding, Musgrave and Atkin, wheelchair curling has been granted £199,342 following their bronze medal at the 2017 World Championships, short track speed skating has received an additional £67,598 to boost their PyeongChang preparations.

But it’s not all good news — bobsleigh and figure skating have had their funding reduced “to reflect their financial need’ and asked to focus their resources in the final preparations for PyeongChang.

The PyeongChang Winter Olympics take place from 9-25 February 2018.