The Ski Club of Great Britain has announced awards and sponsorship for some of Team GB’s ski and snowboard stars, both recognising past achievements and future potential.
Founded in 1903, the not-for-profit members club has historically recognised both British and international snowsports athletes and those that contribute to the sport, for more than a hundred years.
With an abundance of British ski and snowboard talent performing at the very highest levels over the past twelve months, there are arguably more contenders than ever for these awards and the Ski Club council had plenty of athletes to choose from.
Pery Medal
The Pery Medal, first awarded in 1930 to Sir Arnold Lunn, is decided by the Council of the Ski Club of Great Britain and given to a skier, individual or organisation for an outstanding contribution to snowsports. It has been awarded in 2026 to Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale, Gold Medal winners in the Mixed Team Snowboard Cross event at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games. Charlotte is pictured receiving the medal at last weekend’s London Snow Show from Angus MacIver, Chairman of the Ski Club, in Nightingale’s absence. Previous winners of the Pery Medal include Konrad Bartelski, Alain Baxter, Franz Klammer, Jenny Jones and Jasmin Taylor.
Evie Pinching Award
The Evie Pinching Award in 2026 has been given to three skiers who have shown remarkable progress at a high level of Alpine ski racing over the past few years and are breaking into the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup and looking ahead to the Alpine Skiing World Championships that take place in Crans-Montana during February 2027.
Freddy (19), Zak (19) and Luca (21) Carrick-Smith, also known as the Carrick-Smith brothers, grew up in the French Alps but compete for Great Britain, with their parents, Phil Smith (ski teacher and former English champion) and Emma Carrick-Anderson (four-time Winter Olympic skier) acting as their full-time coaches.
The award celebrates the next generation of young and upcoming skiers and snowboarders, helping them to reach their goal in their chosen snowsports. The Carrick-Smiths have been recognised by the Ski Club for their already outstanding results and huge potential in the future. The award includes a total of £3,000 bursary for the winter season.
Luca Carrick-Smith, on behalf of the team, said: “What an honour it is to be awarded the Evie Pinching award from the Ski Club of Great Britain. Thank you so much to everyone who believes in us and who is helping to make this journey possible. Season 2026-27 will be one of challenges, setbacks, triumphs and one full of new beginnings. This year I aspire to make this step into the Alpine Skiing World Cup and perform to the best of my ability every time I get into that start gate”.
Laurie Taylor Sponsorship
British Alpine ski racer, Laurie Taylor (30), is part of the GB Snowsport World Cup team and specialises in slalom; he has competed in two Winter Olympic Games. His best World Cup result came last season when he secured a 4th place in the opening slalom of the season in Levi, Finland. He’s currently ranked 21st in the world for men’s slalom (FIS World Cup rank end of season 2026).
For the 2026-27 season, the Ski Club has awarded Laurie a £5,000 bursary.
Taylor said: “I’m grateful again for the Ski Club’s support. It’s fantastic to have a community of skiers enjoying the mountains and supporting British skiing”.
Dave Ryding CREDIT Fusalp
Ski Club Ambassadors
Former World Cup and Olympic ski racers Chemmy Alcott and Dave Ryding continue with their Ski Club ambassador roles that include regular meet ups and on-snow skiing sessions at The Snow Centre (Hemel Hempstead and Manchester) as well as online talks.
Pete Davies, Ski Club Marketing Manager, said: “The Ski Club has a long and proud history of supporting competitive snowsports, and we’re delighted to champion athletes at different stages of their careers. Watching Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale reach the pinnacle of their sport has been truly inspiring, and we look forward to cheering on the Carrick-Smith brothers and Laurie Taylor as they return to the international stage. We’re also proud to have ski racing legends Chemmy Alcott and Dave Ryding as ambassadors, sharing their passion for skiing and inspiring more people to become part of the Ski Club community.”