Freddy Carrick-Smith makes British skiing history with best ever result in a men’s World Cup Giant Slalom race

British alpine ski racer Freddy Carrick-Smith has made history at the opening men’s giant slalom of the 2026/27 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season, finishing 12th in Sölden, Austria, on Sunday 25 October.

• 19-year-old records the best British men’s World Cup giant slalom result since the FIS World Cup competition began in 1967

• Carrick-Smith moves up from joint 21st after the first run to finish 12th in Austria

• It’s a historic record breaking day for British skiing and alongside his brothers, Zak and Luca, Freddy has put down the marker in a new era of British ski racing

The 19-year-old recorded the highest finish by a British male skier in a World Cup giant slalom since the modern World Cup circuit began in 1967, a landmark result for British alpine skiing.

Starting with bib number 46, Carrick-Smith was joint 21st after the first run before climbing nine places in the final standings to take 12th. The result underlines his potential against the world’s leading giant slalom racers at the very start of the new season.

His performance also improves on Charlie Raposo’s career-best World Cup giant slalom finish of 16th at Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, in March 2022.

Carrick-Smith, who grew up in the French ski resort of Tignes, is one of three ski-racing brothers alongside Zak and Luca. Their parents, former British Olympic alpine skier Emma Carrick-Anderson and ski coach Phil Smith, have played a central role in their development.

Freddy Carrick-Smith said: “A huge thanks to all those that have supported myself and my two brothers Luca and Zak on this journey, there have been some very special people that have helped me and my brothers along this journey. Without that support over the years, today would not have been possible. I’m stoked that I was able to put down two good runs and open another World Cup GS spot for my brother.

“It feels like all the hard work over the summer is really paying off and to get this result in the first race of the season and only my 5th ever World Cup start means so much. It’s exciting to be competing against the very best in the world, but now with a result like this, I know I can compete at the very highest level. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season, it has only just started.”

The result provides a significant early-season milestone for Carrick-Smith as he continues his campaign on the international circuit.

Freddy, Zak and Luca grew up in the ski resort of Tignes with their parents, Phil Smith and Emma Carrick-Anderson, owners of Snoworks Ski Courses. Emma competed in 4 Winter Olympic Games for Great Britain and is Britain’s most successful women’s slalom skier. Phil is a leading ski teacher and former trainer with the British Associations of Snowsports instructors. Today, they both coach their sons on a full-time basis.

The Carrick-Smith brothers started ski racing from a young age and quickly showed promise.

Their breakthrough results have come across youth and senior competition. In 2024, Zak made history at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon (Korea), winning gold in the slalom and alpine combined, and silver in the giant slalom — Britain’s first ever alpine skiing medals at a Winter Olympic event. The following year, Freddy won giant slalom gold at the European Youth Olympic Festival, while Zak took bronze in the slalom. Freddy also claimed the U18 titles in both slalom and giant slalom that season.

The brothers have since made their mark at the FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championships. Luca won slalom bronze at Tarvisio in 2025, Britain’s first medal at the championships since 1984. At Narvik in 2026, Freddy took silver in the slalom, while Zak finished seventh in the giant slalom. All three have also progressed onto the senior circuit, with World Cup starts and results in FIS and continental-level races.

The athletes, compete for Team GB

• Luca Carrick Smith – GB Snowsport Europa Cup team. DOB: 13-05-2005 (age 21) | Disciplines: Slalom and Giant Slalom | Sponsors: Van Deer

• Freddy Carrick-Smith – GB Snowsport World Cup team DOB: 11-02-2007 (age 19) | Disciplines: Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G | Sponsors: Dynastar

• Zak Carrick-Smith – GB Snowsport Europa Cup team DOB: 11-02-2007 (age 19) | Disciplines: Slalom, Giant Slalom, downhill and Super G | Sponsors: Van Deer

The team is still searching for funding to carry them through this season. If you would like to join the journey and support team, you can do so by donating to their GoFundMe fund: gofund.me/1a790678e