18 Year Old British Ski Racer to Make World Cup Debut
He will be competing in the season opening race at Sölden in Austria on October 26th.
Freddy, along with his brothers Zac and Luca, are the brightest prospects in GB racing for a generation.
He joins a group of British male skiers that have competed in the discipline since the modern era of the FIS World Cup events started in 1967.
The list includes Konrad Bartelski, Graham and Martin Bell and more recently, Charlie Raposo who retired at the end of the 2024 winter season.
Freddy’s pathway to the World Cup has included:
- A gold medal at the 2025 European Youth Olympic Festival (Bakuriani, Georgia)
- First place (under 18 category) at the 2025 World Juniors in Tarvisio, Italy, in both the slalom and giant slalom disciplines.
He is part of a skiing family that includes his twin brother Zak and older brother Luca (20), both also competing for Great Britain in Alpine ski racing disciplines.
His parents, Phil Smith (former English ski champion and founder of Snoworks Ski Courses) and Emma Carrick-Anderson (4 times Olympic ski racer) are their full time coaches.
“This is a huge moment for Freddy and an achievement that will be recognised as one of the most significant in British ski racing history,” said Emma Carrick-Anderson.
“We have always struggled to produce giant slalom skiers because it’s such a challenge to train for the discipline and it’s so technical.
“The fact Freddy has been able to reach this milestone at such a young age is very rare.
“Stepping up to the World Cup level is not easy and the course in Sölden is brutal, with hard packed ice on a steep slope that finishes in a vast amphitheatre with thousands of screaming ski fans – the atmosphere there is incredible.
“Freddy’s achievement is made even more impressive by the fact we are almost entirely self-funded – but we have a huge opportunity and to get to this level at this stage is a dream come true for all of us”.
Emma Carrick-Anderson. Image c/o Team Carrick-Smith.
The FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup Giant Slalom takes place in Sölden, Austria, on Saturday October 25th (women) and Sunday October 26th (men).
TV coverage in the UK is broadcast live on Discovery+ and TNT Sports.
Freddy Carrick-Smith. Image c/o Team Carrick-Smith.
Previous GB Male skiers that have entered aFIS World Cup Giant Slalom race at or before the age of 18:
- Konrad Bartelski: 1971, age 16, Crans-Montana (Switzerland)
- Martin Bell: 1981, age 16, Schladming (Austria)
Freddy, Zak and Luca – along with British ski racer Molly Butler – will be attending the London Snow Show at Olympia on Sunday October 19th and will appear on the main Talk Stage with Chemmy Alcott (4 times Olympic skier) at 2:30pm.
As a PlanetSKI reader you can obtain free tickets to The Snow Show here:
Here’s how to help Freddy and Team Carrick-Smith:
Image c/o Team Carrick-Smith.
Long-time readers of PlanetSKI will be familiar with the story of Zak, Luca and Freddy.
PlanetSKI’s Jane Peel met up with them back in 2018:
Carrick-Smith boys in 2018. Image © PlanetSKI
We have been following their progress since:
- GB alpine squads announced
- Congratulations to Zak Carrick-Smith
- Another gold for Team GB at Youth Winter Olympics
Freddy’s profile on GB Snowsport: gbsnowsport.com/athlete/freddy-carrick-smith
About Team Carrick Smith
Team Carrick-Smith is a British alpine ski racing family based in the Alps throughout the winter, committed to competing at the highest international level.
The team comprises three brothers — Freddy, Zak, and Luca — supported by their parents, Phil Smith (ski coach) and Emma Carrick-Anderson (4 times Olympic skier), who manage and oversee their development both on and off the slopes.
The brothers have each established themselves across junior and senior circuits, achieving notable results in European Cups, national championships, and international events.
Team Carrick-Smith trains year-round, combining on-snow sessions in the Alps with dryland conditioning and technical development.
Their approach blends traditional ski racing techniques with modern sports science, allowing them to maximise performance while managing the demands of elite competition.
With clear ambitions to secure World Cup points, represent Great Britain at major championships, and continue pushing the limits of British alpine skiing, Team Carrick-Smith offers sponsors a highly visible and professional platform.
Their dedication, family-led support structure, and competitive pedigree make them a unique and compelling partner in the world of winter sports.
PlanetSKI: Number 1 for digital ski news
Your digital platform for ski news, resort information, travel, equipment rental, sport, money saving deals and everything connected with snowsports – web site, social media & more.
The post 18 Year Old British Ski Racer to Make World Cup Debut appeared first on PlanetSKI.
Leave a Reply