New fundraising initiative introduced to support British Alpine

GB Snowsport is delighted to announce the launch of the GBS Alpine Foundation, a new initiative that provides supporters with a means to directly impact the efforts of Britain’s high-performance Alpine ski team and the sport’s most promising young British talent in the buildup to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics and beyond. 

This is an incredibly exciting time for British Alpine skiing as we build towards the Olympics, in just over 15 months, with our greatest ever generation of Alpine skiers. Last season the team showed what they are capable of, finishing sixth in the Men’s Slalom World Cup Nations Cup, ahead of nations such as Italy, the USA, Canada and Sweden, who receive approximately £900,000 more in funding per athlete than their British counterparts. 

The disparity in finances is due to our Alpine athletes not currently being eligible for full funding from the UK’s sport funding agencies, so are heavily dependent on sponsors, benefactors and donors. In order to give our skiers the best possible chance to maximise their potential, and make history in Milan-Cortina, GB Snowsport responded to the interest of a number of passionate supporters of the sport to develop the Foundation, with the founding board members’ generosity coming at a moment where investment and sponsorship for many sports has been particularly challenging to attract and maintain. 

Launched at an exclusive signing event yesterday evening (22 October) at the offices of Brown Rudnick LLP attended by the British Alpine World Cup Squad of Billy Major, Dave Ryding, and Laurie Taylor, the Foundation funds will initially be ring-fenced to support World Cup Squad activity. The longer-term aim will then be to support some of the country’s most promising Europa Cup and younger Alpine talent as they look to continue Britain’s upward trajectory in Alpine skiing, and support future generations of British Alpine skiers.

At launch, the Foundation, which will be chaired by Maison Sport CEO Nick Robinson, has already attracted support from eight donors, each of whom has contributed upwards of £20,000, with hopes to sign more donors as the season progresses. All of the money raised will be ring-fenced to support the Alpine team, and will be used to boost funding received from team sponsorships and National Squads investment provided by UK Sport to support Dave Ryding’s programme.

Juliet Foster, GB Snowsport Alpine Discipline Committee Chair, said:

“We are so grateful to the Foundation founding board members for their support to the Foundation.  

The aim is that the Foundation be a long-term supporter of the Alpine programme and our wonderful athletes. As with all launches, it is key to start well, and the contribution of the first donors is immeasurable. Now we will widen that opportunity to all those keen to support GB Alpine on the road to Milan-Cortina and beyond.  

With the Milan-Cortina Games less than two years away, we know that we have the talent to succeed on the biggest stages.  The support of the Foundation will help to ensure that we give that talent every chance to show the world what they can do.”

Nick Robinson, GBS Alpine Foundation Chairman, said:

“For many years there has been considerable support for British Alpine ski racing programs, alongside support from UK Sport, from a number of individuals, and the Foundation aims to bring these people together, creating a network of passionate supporters. The US ski team has had a foundation in operation since 1964; we hope to create one that is equally influential. 

“Our aim is to ensure there is a consistent level of funding season after season, not just for the World Cup program, but for the lower levels too. It will take time to build the Foundation up to a level where this is possible, but the founding board members are motivated to do so, and we look forward to welcoming new members through the course of this winter and beyond.”

Vicky Gosling, GB Snowsport Chief Executive, added:

“We know just how much Alpine skiing means to so many British snowsport fans, and we know there’s so much passion to support the team who’ve been consistently delivering for years now at the very top of the sport.

“The generosity of all of the Foundation donors will directly support the team from day one of this season, and we’re hugely grateful for their backing, and for the backing of all future donors.”

GBS Alpine Foundation Founding Board Members

• Anthony Cross (fund manager)
• The Davies family
• Eric Martineau-Fortin (CEO and founder of White Star Capital)
• Mark Quinn (CEO of Quinn Estates)
• Nick Robinson (CEO of Maison Sport)
• Luke Steyn OLY
• Gareth Williams (founder of Skyscanner)
• Sam Wrench (Grammy nominated Director)

For more information on how to support the GBS Alpine Foundation, please visit https://gbsnowsport.com/about-us/alpine-foundation/ or contact Juliet Foster, GB Snowsport Alpine Discipline Committee Chair, on juliet.foster@gbsnowsport.com