With the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics starting tomorrow, we look at Team GB’s best medal prospects on snow.
Team GB are taking 50 athletes to Beijing, of which 18 are skiers and 3 are snowboarders. You can see the full GB Snowsport selection in our previous blog post.
But who stand the best chance of coming home with a medal and joining Jenny Jones (Bronze, Snowboard Slopestyle, Sochi 2014), Billy Morgan (Bronze, Snowboard Big Air, Pyeongchang 2018) and Izzy Atkin (Bronze, Ski Slopestyle, Pyeongchang 2018) in making history?
Charlotte Bankes, Snowboard Cross (Medal Chance: 4/5)
As the current world no 1, reigning world champion, and with multiple wins under her belt already this season, Bankes is the hot favourite for a medal, possibly gold.
Snowboard cross (and skier cross) are highly unpredictable events, and anything could happen on the day, however, it would be a huge disappointment if she failed to bring home anything.
Zoe Atkin, Skier Halfpipe (Medal Chance: 3/5)
The younger sister of Izzy Atkin, Britain’s first skier to win an Olympic medal, has been quietly building her own momentum over the last few years.
Still only 19, she took bronze at the 2021 World Championships and has three top 10 results in the World Cup this season.
Izzy Atkin, Skier Slopestyle (Medal Chance: 2/5)
Normally Zoe’s older sibling would be higher on our list of chances, but only six weeks ago she fractured her pelvis on the Dew Tour in Colorado.
However, her recovery has gone well and she plans to compete in the slopestyle at Beijing, with the event taking place from 13-14 February. Her previous Olympic experience will be vital.
Kirsty Muir, Skier Slopestyle (Medal Chance: 2/5)
Still only 17 years old, Kirsty Muir has been powering up the rankings, since she joined the senior circuit.
Two years ago, she won silver in the Winter Youth Olympics, and last winter made an immediate impression with 6th at the World Championships and a silver at the World Cup at Aspen. A 4th and 5th already this season suggest the podium is within reach.
Dave Ryding, Ski Slalom (Medal Chance: 1/5)
The veteran on the team at 35 years old, Ryding made history when he became the first British skier to win a World Cup race at Kitzbuhel last month.
Can he pull it off at the Winter Olympics? Absolutely, on the day there’s few better sights than watching ‘The Rocket’ charge his second run. And you wouldn’t find a more popular winner if he does!
This list is not to say that other members of the team don’t stand a chance. Watch out for Andrew Musgrave in the Cross Country sprint races and Katie Ormerod in Snowboard Slopestyle.
You can follow all the action in the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics on the BBC website, Red Button and with live coverage throughout the night and recaps during the day.
Best of luck to all of our team!