The British national Ski and Snowboard team have been awarded an extra £212,000 of funding from government body UK Sport which decides on awards of national Lottery money ahead of next winter’s Olympic Games in PyeongChang.
The figure awarded as part of ‘the third Annual Investment Review for winter sports’ ahead of the 2018 Games represents around a 5% increase in funding from the previously agreed figure of £4,933,726, taking it up to £5,145,293.
Ski and Snowboard and Short Track Speed Skating were the only parts of the UK team to see their funding increase whilst bobsleigh and figure skating saw small decreases and other parts of the team remained unchanged.
Dan Hunt, Performance Director, British Ski and Snowboard, said:
“British Ski and Snowboard are delighted to learn of the new National Lottery investment ahead of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. We have worked closely with UK Sport to get to this point and we are proud to now have 16 athletes from three snowsports disciplines receiving investment.”
The results-driven extra funding comes as a result of Ski and Snowboard gaining two new podium places last winter for alpine skier Dave Ryding and cross country skier Andrew Musgrave.
Ryding (pictured top) achieved a 2nd place at the World Cup event in Kitzbühel, which was the best result by a British Alpine skier since 1981. Musgrave, who is supported by the sportscotland institute of sport, demonstrated Olympic medal potential at the Nordic World Ski Championship with a 4th place finish.
In addition, Freestyle skier Izzy Atkin (pictured below)has seen her Podium Potential place upgraded to Podium following her bronze medal at the World Championships.
The changes mean the total award increase for Ski and Snowboard is £211,567.
“Winter sports have had a strong 2016/17 season and their performances mean we remain on track for another record breaking Games in PyeongChang. Through the annual investment review process, we have identified ways to protect and enhance medal potential at PyeongChang 2018 and adjusted our investment accordingly so that we can be confident of more medals and medallists in South Korea to inspire the nation,” said Director of Performance Chelsea Warr.
