My 2024 Youth Olympic Games Diary

Earlier this year, I was selected to represent Great Britain at the Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, South Korea (19th January – 1st February 2024). I was over the moon! What an honour to represent my country at such a high level.

I was one of only two alpine athletes on the GB team. Zak Carrick-Smith, my training partner, was also selected. Our brilliant coaches were Emma Carrick-Anderson, a four-time GB winter Olympian, and Jo Ryding (sister of Dave Ryding, GB’s top World Cup slalom skier). Plus, a team physio and doctor.

Sunday, 14th January – off we go

We stayed in Munich overnight, ready for our 7 am flight to Heathrow on Monday, 15th January and onward 12-hour, long-haul flight to Seoul.

We had 13 sets of skis, four pairs of boots, a ski maintenance box, two huge ski race bags and our luggage. It was quite a feat getting through the airport with all our baggage! 

When we eventually arrived, we still had a six-hour bus ride to the Olympic Village. What a long journey!

Out and about

The Olympic Village was well-organised. All the volunteers were friendly and welcoming. We had the opportunity to free ski the area, which was great fun.

After that, it was mainly blue skies, but down to minus 25 and extremely cold. We had tape on our faces to avoid frostbite and had to keep going indoors. Adidas, our team clothing sponsors, had thought of everything. They gave us each a long, padded overcoat for warmth. Thank you, Adidas.

Sadly, we had to miss the Opening Ceremony on 19th January.  We were a two-hour drive away and had a very early start the following morning for the Super-G element of the Alpine Combined.

Sunday, 21st January – a speedy start

This was my first Super-G for a while with no training, so I wasn’t unhappy with my 27th place. I then gained 11 places in the slalom, finishing the Alpine Combined in 16th out of 56 competitors.

Tuesday, 23rd January – Giant Slalom

I was particularly pleased with my first run as I skied well from a high start number. I finished 10th out of 79 competitors, which I heard later was the best result in 50 years for a female GB alpine athlete at an Olympic event.

Thursday, 25th January – Slalom

I finished 12th in slalom out of 78 girls from 50 countries. Of course, I would love to have won a medal. However, I gained confidence from knowing I am one of the top girls in my age category. It was an invaluable experience to race against the best in the world in my age group.

This has been a boost to my confidence, and it will help me to improve and achieve the next level.

Memories, congratulations, and a big thank you

Overall, I left with lovely memories and made new friends, who I now see on the race circuit.   

I can’t write this without sending the biggest congratulations to Zak Carrick-Smith, my teammate and friend. What a performance!

Dreams do come true. I’m loving every minute of working towards achieving mine. 

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A huge thank you to everyone who is helping to support me on my journey.

Thank you for your kind contributions to my GoFundMe page, every pound of which continues to go towards training and race costs. 

Without any formal support system for GB athletes at my level, this is a lifeline. I wouldn’t have made it out to Gangwon without you.

In my website shop, you’ll find cards, art prints and gifts featuring my latest original hand-drawn artwork, and popular favourites, too. Every sale also continues to support my race costs, so thank you for shopping.