What is the World Class Programme?
The WCP represents the pinnacle of the GB Snowsport performance programmes with the primary aim being to ensure medal success for Great Britain at the Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games. In line with UK Sport regulation membership to the WCP is for those athletes on a confirmed trajectory to be podium competitive at the Winter Olympic or Winter Paralympic Games. The WCP investment is directed by UK Sport, with decisions to fund those disciplines they deem as Podium competitive within the next Olympic cycle.
Athletes on the WCP receive Athlete Personal Award (APA) directly from UK Sport in line with their performance attainment to contribute towards their living and sporting costs.
The WCP currently services athletes from 2 Olympic disciplines (Snowboard and Freestyle Ski) and 2 Paralympic disciplines (Para Alpine and Para Snowboard) where agreed performance standards have been attained.
The WCP operates at two distinct levels:
- Podium – supporting athletes with realistic medal winning capabilities at the next Olympic/Paralympic Winter Games (i.e. a maximum of four years away from the podium)
- Podium Potential – these are athletes whose performances suggest that they have realistic medal winning capabilities at the subsequent Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (i.e. a maximum of eight years away from the podium)
The WCP offers a full package of athlete support to aid development and performance and includes, but is not limited to; access to world class coaching, access to world class training environments, sports science and medical support and performance lifestyle support.
