British alpine ski racer Freddy Carrick-Smith has made history at the opening men’s giant slalom of the 2026/27 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season, finishing 12th in Sölden, Austria, on Sunday.
The 19-year-old recorded the highest finish by a British male skier in a World Cup giant slalom since the modern World Cup circuit began in 1967, a landmark result for British alpine skiing.
Freddy with parents British Olympic alpine skier Emma Carrick-Anderson and ski coach Phil Smith
Starting with bib number 46, Carrick-Smith was joint 21st after the first run before climbing nine places in the final standings to take 12th. The result underlines his potential against the world’s leading giant slalom racers at the very start of the new season.
His performance also improves on Charlie Raposo’s career-best World Cup giant slalom finish of 16th at Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, in March 2022.
Carrick-Smith, who grew up in the French ski resort of Tignes, is one of three ski-racing brothers alongside Zak and Luca. Their parents, former British Olympic alpine skier Emma Carrick-Anderson and ski coach Phil Smith, have played a central role in their development.
Freddy Carrick-Smith said: “A huge thanks to all those that have supported myself and my two brothers Luca and Zak on this journey, there have been some very special people that have helped me and my brothers along this journey. Without that support over the years, today would not have been possible. I’m stoked that I was able to put down two good runs and open another World Cup GS spot for my brother.”
“It feels like all the hard work over the summer is really paying off and to get this result in the first race of the season and only my 5th ever World Cup start means so much. It’s exciting to be competing against the very best in the world, but now with a result like this, I know I can compete at the very highest level. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season, it has only just started.”
The result provides a significant early-season milestone for Carrick-Smith as he continues his campaign on the international circuit.
The team is still searching for funding to carry them through this season. If you would like to join the journey and support team, you can do so by donating to their GoFundMe fund.
Images credit: Elsa Dooley Fall-Liners