Team GB's snowboarding and skiing squad has staged an impressive comeback in the lead-up to the Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. Just days ago, Britain's athletes secured gold medals at the X Games in Aspen, with Mia Brookes (19), Zoe Atkin (23) and Kirsty Muir (21) all taking home top prizes. Meanwhile, Charlotte Bankes has won her first World Cup snowboard cross event since a serious injury.
The team is confident about their chances of success in Italy, thanks to the hard work and dedication put into their training over the past four years. According to Vicky Gosling, chief executive of GB Snowsport, the introduction of new technologies such as special tech skinsuits has been a key factor in improving performance. These suits have enabled athletes to gain an edge by reducing drag in competition.
To support their mental preparation for high-stress events, the team has also invested heavily in sport psychologists and innovative training methods. Last year, Kirsty Muir and her freeski park & pipe team went through a free-diving program as part of their off-season training to develop techniques that would help them perform under pressure.
Gosling attributes the team's improved results to a cultural shift within GB Snowsport. "We used to be grateful just to be at the start line, but now we want to win," she says. The team operates like a military model, with a decentralized approach and access to top-class coaches from around the world.
Despite facing challenges such as reduced funding and a tough winter training environment, the GB Snowsport team has shown remarkable resilience. In fact, they have had to resort to sleeping in a car on occasion when their accommodation became unavailable.
One thing that stands out about this team is their commitment to social mobility. Many of its athletes come from humble backgrounds, with Dave Ryding starting skiing at just six years old and Kirsty Muir beginning her skiing career at three. Mia Brookes's parents took their love of snowboarding on the road by driving a camper van across Europe.
As the Winter Olympics approach, Team GB is cautiously optimistic about their prospects. Zoe Atkin believes that everything has been done to prepare them for success, and that they have received crucial support from the team itself. With their combined talent, grit and determination, Britain's snowboarding and skiing squad is poised to make a major impact in Milano-Cortina.
The team is confident about their chances of success in Italy, thanks to the hard work and dedication put into their training over the past four years. According to Vicky Gosling, chief executive of GB Snowsport, the introduction of new technologies such as special tech skinsuits has been a key factor in improving performance. These suits have enabled athletes to gain an edge by reducing drag in competition.
To support their mental preparation for high-stress events, the team has also invested heavily in sport psychologists and innovative training methods. Last year, Kirsty Muir and her freeski park & pipe team went through a free-diving program as part of their off-season training to develop techniques that would help them perform under pressure.
Gosling attributes the team's improved results to a cultural shift within GB Snowsport. "We used to be grateful just to be at the start line, but now we want to win," she says. The team operates like a military model, with a decentralized approach and access to top-class coaches from around the world.
Despite facing challenges such as reduced funding and a tough winter training environment, the GB Snowsport team has shown remarkable resilience. In fact, they have had to resort to sleeping in a car on occasion when their accommodation became unavailable.
One thing that stands out about this team is their commitment to social mobility. Many of its athletes come from humble backgrounds, with Dave Ryding starting skiing at just six years old and Kirsty Muir beginning her skiing career at three. Mia Brookes's parents took their love of snowboarding on the road by driving a camper van across Europe.
As the Winter Olympics approach, Team GB is cautiously optimistic about their prospects. Zoe Atkin believes that everything has been done to prepare them for success, and that they have received crucial support from the team itself. With their combined talent, grit and determination, Britain's snowboarding and skiing squad is poised to make a major impact in Milano-Cortina.
! It's all about innovation now, and it's paying off big time. But what really gets me is their focus on social mobility - those athletes come from all walks of life, and it's inspiring to see them crushing it on the slopes 
. And I gotta say, that military model approach is genius 
. It's not just about winning, but also about supporting each other and being part of a team. With their grit and determination, I'm confident they'll bring home some serious medals from Milano-Cortina 
. And who knows, maybe we'll see more athletes taking risks like that free-diving program last year? 
! They're a total inspiration 
But seriously, their commitment to social mobility is so admirable - these athletes are proof that anything is possible with grit and determination 
- game changer! I'm totally hyped for them at the Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina 
... bring it on, GB Snowsport! 