Badenoch and Strathspey to send young snowsport stars to Euro Youth Olympics
It’s deep snowy joy for two 16-year-old stars of Badenoch and Strathspey with today’s announcement of Youth Olympic selections.
Of the nine Scottish snowsport athletes among a 20-strong Team GB squad announced by the British Olympic Association for this year’s European Youth Olympic Festival in Bakuriani, two of them come from the strath.
From Strathspey it’s Carrbridge prodigy Emily Rothney, chosen for the freestyle snowboard competition.
From Badenoch it’s Tia Freshwater, daughter of Loch Insh legend Andrew Freshwater - former Alpine skier who competed for the Brits in the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Running from February 9-16 Team GB’s young athletes, all aged between 14 and 17, will compete in seven of the sports on the programme including: Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Freeski, Freestyle Snowboard and Biathlon.
The full selections are:
Cross Country: Ewan McAdam, Elspeth Cruickshank, Sophie Forth and Rasmus Ipsen.
Alpine: Tia Freshwater and Hamish Blyth.
Freeski: Sandra Caune.
Freestyle Snowboard: Emily Rothney and Roahan Duncan.
Emily’s mother Kerri Dickson posted the great news this morning, telling her many followers that “she has just returned to Switzerland after a very busy month traveling between resorts in France and Italy competing in three Europa Cups.
“She performed well and stood on two podiums, taking 3rd place in France and winning in Italy.
“She rode well and felt good at each competition but a small mistake by her meant she didn't qualify in her third competition. She was disappointed but really she has gained a lot of experience and confidence in this past month.
“Her wins have also improved her world ranking, placing her in the top 40, which will allow her to compete in a world championships competition in March.
“In the last month all the traveling, road tolls, lift passes and accommodation has been paid for by the fundraising we have done in the village, so I wanted to thank everyone who has come out for bacon rolls and donated to support her on her journey - thank you!”
Emily sent back these thoughts: “I’m really excited to be selected for Team GB. I can’t wait to get out there, meet all my teammates and start learning.
“I’ve been trying lots of new skills and jumps this season, and it’s found me some success. This event gives me a fantastic opportunity to continue that and fully immerse myself in something new with sports and athletes I’ve not been around before.”
And there was equal delight in the Freshwater household back in Kincraig as the confirmation came that young Tia was to compete in the youth Olympics.
She told the Strathy: “After a solid block of training and racing in Italy, I’m delighted to now be the U18 GB no1 in Slalom and to have been selected to the EYOF.
“I always aim to give my best and try to be a little bit better every day - that’s what I’ll be bringing to Georgia - along with my Moggans ski socks!”
She confirmed: “It is my ambition to represent Great Britain in ski racing and perhaps one day compete each week on the world cup circuit and follow in the footsteps of the current British Alpine team.
“A team that has just finished its most successful year to date, proving that with hard work and a little support even a non Alpine nation like Great Britain can regularly finish on the podium at international events.”
With a crowdfunder building up to get her there for Britain, she said she was determined to continue to defy norms, break barriers and “chase my dreams for British success in Alpine skiing.
“I am currently standing up to one of the toughest challenges to date. Despite all the success at a world cup level in Alpine skiing UK Sport have heavily reduced the team funding to a point that anyone like me below world cup level has no help whatsoever.”
Introduced to the sport by her ski instructor father when he was working in Canada, she first put skis on age 18 months there in 2010. But back home in Scotland it became clear the options to train were limited and in 2013 the family decided to move to the Alps to train on a more guaranteed basis.
They now live and train in the Porte du soleil ski area near La Chapelle D’abondance.
“We also stay in touch with our old ski club, the Alpine Training Centre and join them for camps in the school holidays in Europe if we can.”
Now the challenge is the European Youth Olympics, which play an important role in the development of young British athletes, providing crucial multi-sport event experience and guiding them towards realising their Olympic ambitions as they compete alongside over 1600 athletes from 44 countries.
For Bakuriani the squad features multiple snowsport athletes who return after representing Team GB in Gangwon at the 2024 Youth Winter Olympic Games.
Charlie Burn, Team GB’s Chef de Mission, said: “It is a huge honour to lead Team GB. It will be the first time many of our young athletes experience the Olympic movement and is an invaluable opportunity for them to develop in an international competition of this level.”
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