Zak Carrick-Smith makes British history with Youth Olympic Games Gold

16-year-old’s Alpine Combined medal gives Britain a first-ever Alpine Gold at Olympic event

Zak Carrick-Smith made British Alpine skiing history as he took Gold in the Men’s Alpine Combined event at the Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Games. Sitting in 27th spot after the Super-G leg, 16-year-old Carrick-Smith delivered a staggering Slalom run including the fastest first sector in the entire field to take victory and, in doing so, deliver Britain’s first ever Gold medal in an Olympic Alpine event.

The youngster, whose only previous official race victory came in the Hochkrimml National Junior Slalom in December, was one of only three 2007-born skiers to feature in the top-10 in Gangwon, and sealed victory by a margin of 0.13s from Alexander Ax Swartz and and 0.84s Liam Liljenborg, both of Sweden, in second and third respectively.

Speaking afterwards, Zak said:

“It’s absolutely unbelievable. I was overwhelmed knowing I was on the podium, and then I went into first – I had to get people to double check, because I just couldn’t believe it. It still hasn’t quite sunk in, and to be the first British person in an Olympics to get an Alpine gold…I’m just over the moon!”