It has really come around so quickly; it feels like only yesterday that the GB team were preparing for the first EVER snowboard slopestyle Winter Olympics (where Jenny Jones claimed the UK’s first bronze medal on snow, have I mentioned that before??!!) in Sochi 2014. Well, it’s nearly here again, taking place in PyeongChang, South Korea in Feb 2018. It’s the dream for many athletes to go to the Olympics (mine too but pretty sure I’m way over the hill now), and this year many GB Snowboarders will be competing desperately to try and earn themselves enough FIS points to qualify. It’s a complicated process, not to mention nerve-racking. There are so many amazing riders, but unfortunately, it’s all about the points and it really comes down to luck on the day (and obviously a shed load of talent).
So who are the ones to look out for next Olympics? Who are the up and coming British freestyle snowboarders and the ones that we might possibly see in future Olympics?
Katie Ormerod
I feel like every snowboarder has “their year”: the year that they are on the podium pretty much every contest, winning events left right and centre, and getting heaps of media and just generally snowboarding like a boss. Well, this year is Katie’s year. She narrowly missed out on the 2014 Olympics, and then she had an awful knee injury that kept her under the radar for a bit. But it’s like she has been secretly training, a dark horse that has suddenly reappeared and taken the world by storm, and now is her time to shine!
Katie Ormerod started snowboarding at the age of 5 on Halifax dry ski slope. She progressed in the snowdome scene and competed from a young age in the British Championships. At 15 years old she became the youngest girl to land a double backflip on a snowboard and at age 16, she did the World’s first female backside double cork 1080. She’s having an amazing season so far this year with a win in the Big Air World Cup in Russia and 2nd place in the German and 3rd in the South Korean Big Air events also.
So modest and quiet, she probably doesn’t even know how good she is. I would put money on her getting a spot on the podium in the 2018 Olympics! Unfortunately, she has just broken her back whilst competing in the World Champs in Sierra Nevada. But she assures us it’s nothing too serious and she will be back in 6 weeks. Still, plenty of time to qualify for the Olympics next year.
Photo Credit: @gbparkandpipe
Jamie Nicholls
Well it must run in the family as Jamie Nicholls is Katie Ormerod’s cousin! Also growing up riding Halifax dry ski slope and a regular at Castleford Snowdome, Jamie has already competed in his first Olympics in Sochi 2014. He made it to the finals and finished in an amazing 6th place, only missing out on the podium by 1 point.
Jamie started riding at the age of 7, and joined the GB team age 15 to start competing on the World circuit. Recently, he has concentrated more on snowboard films, getting some pretty decent movie parts. He is particularly known for his epic rail riding, probably from growing up riding the indoor scene in the UK.
Jamie is a proper down to earth, Yorkshire lad who loves his tea, countryside and everything British. He has been labelled as an “up and coming” British snowboarder since he was tiny and he hasn’t disappointed as one of the pioneers of the British freestyle movement. Already in training for the next Olympics, I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulled something amazing out of the bag and rightfully claimed his spot on the podium.
Aimee Fuller
Aimee Fuller always had her heart set on becoming a professional snowboarder, right from a young age. Although growing up in Belfast didn’t give many opportunities, it didn’t stop her from pursuing her dreams. She started snowboarding at her local dry ski slope every Saturday while also competing in motor-cross. She then moved with her family to America when she was 12 and had the chance to ride on real snow. She went to a snowboard camp in Mount Hood, got talent spotted and the rest is history!
Photo Credit: Juliet Elliot
Aimee also competed in the Sochi Winter Olympics but she is determined to qualify again this time. She’s already got some FIS points under her belt, including a top 5 result at the World Cup in Mammoth this season, so it is going well.
She was in the spotlight at the last Olympics when she ended up commentating with Tim Warwood and Ed Leigh in the BBC commentary box, charming people with her honest and funny chat. I think she not only has a future as an amazing snowboarder, but possibly making it big in the media as a TV presenter!
Billy Morgan
Billy Morgan, where to start?! He is mental! Also coming from a gymnastics & acrobatics background, he is like a Duracell bunny on snow. He does these insane acrobatic tricks, stuff that you wouldn’t even think was possible. He has developed a pretty big name for himself by bagging a few “first- time” tricks: first Triple Rodeo, first back-to-back Triple Corks and first ever Quad Cork.
He’s actually pretty similar off the snow too. You never know what to expect next with Billy, making him a very exciting snowboarder/ general character to watch and to be around.
Photo Credit: @billymorgan89
He has now honed all of his “wildness” into proper snowboard training and become a lot more consistent. He has already competed in his first Olympics achieving an awesome 10th place. I have no doubt that he will qualify for the 2018 Olympics and I really feel that he will do something crazy and land himself a place on the podium this time.
Rowan Coultas
Rowan Coultas is definitely one to watch as a 2018 Olympic hopeful, for potentially his first Olympics of many. He first appeared on the radar in 2009 when he was very young, and he is now one of the UK’s biggest hitters. He lives in Mayrhofen during the winter and also travels the world competing with the GB team and has got a number of good results already. He has started the qualifying process for the 2018 Olympics, getting top 10 in 2 events. It’s not surprising he’s so good with Penken Park, Mayrhofen as his playground. I still think of him as a little kid but he’s 19 years old now and seriously killing it. He progresses really quickly and could do well and gain experience in the Men’s Slopestyle in the Olympics.
Photo Credit: @rowancoultas
Cerys Allen
Cerys Allen started snowboarding when she was 9, and is a regular at The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead. She now travels all over Europe competing and is a member of the GB Park and Pipe team, and she’s still young! She genuinely loves snowboarding and thrives on the progression and competing. She also likes to help others with their riding too and I wouldn’t be surprised if she ended up a coach herself one day as she hopes to inspire other female snowboarders. Cerys is a very focused and driven lady and I think that will earn her a place on the GB Olympic Team one day, if not this time round, then definitely the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.
Photo Credit: Ben Kinnear
Fin Bremner
A lovely Scottish lad from Aberdeen who again started his journey on dry slopes and snowdomes, first making a name for himself competing in the UK indoor scene. At 12, he bought his first mountain lift pass for Glenshee to hone his mountain skills, so he was already pretty awesome before he even left the UK. After some European trips and competitions, he was selected for the GB team in 2014 and is hoping to qualify for the 2018 Olympics.
Mr Bremner is a pretty determined character, always wanting to better himself and push the boundaries, he focuses hard on training and keeping fit. He is also pretty switched on with the media stuff, making him easy to follow and keep up to date with his goings-on.
Maisie Hill
Maisie hill, a girl with bags of style, but quiet and modest and knows what hard work is. She hated snowboarding when she first started in the UK on dry slop (don’t blame her haha!). But her dad saw potential in her riding and decided to move out to Morzine in the French Alps to pursue her snowboarding career. She had to start a French school without knowing a word of french, but in 2 years she was pretty much fluent. She knows the importance of getting good grades at school but is also very focused on her mountain training. Just an all-round grounded person and I think this will see her do amazing things. In fact, she’s already done some pretty amazing things, gaining great competition results in all her disciplines and has now secured herself a place on the GB Junior Park and Academy Team. She competes in all snowboard events, even boarder cross but her ultimate dream is to represent team GB in the Olympics. She says the pipe is where she is happiest but I think she has massive potential in slopestyle as well.
Jamie Trinder
Another youngster from Scotland, growing up near Cairngorm which meant he was on the snow from an early age. It wasn’t long before he was recognized as an amazing young talent. This then led to him signing up for the GB Junior program. After competing at national level he progressed onto the GB Park and Pipe Squad and is now travelling the world training and competing. But still, says that his home mountain is his favourite place to shred.
He’s pretty down to earth and humble and loves riding with a crew of mates. He has a focus on staying positive and having fun, which is what snowboarding is all about really! Jamie is a very talented lad and wants to travel the world with his riding to experience different cultures. He is on the radar for a UK talent for the Olympics and I really hope he qualifies for Pyeongchang as he is pretty sick at riding! Don’t forget to look out for his signature pink helmet!
Bradie Zimmer-Collins
Zimmer-Collins is such a sweet girl, who really is stoked on snowboarding. She is half Canadian, maybe thats why she’s so good at shredding?
Not only is she into snowboarding, but she loves skating, wakeboarding, gymnastics and more recently parkour/ freerunning. I’m sure all of these help with her riding. She regularly podiums at national competitions and definitely been on the British Championship podium a few times. She is currently under 16 British Slopestyle Champion. She has now be selected for the National Academy park and pipe squad and trains with some of the countries best riders. I would expect this young teen to do great things on the international stage in the future, and no doubt is on the path to Olympic stardom. And I’m sure she will remain a lovely girl throughout.
Will Gimore
Super-Grom Will Gilmore is going to do big things for the UK. He is definitely a future GB Olympian in everyone’s eyes, but he’s barely taller than his board at the moment! He is fearless and determined and first strapped on a snowboard when he was 5. His parents have invested a lot on training for their son throughout Europe, and I’m not surprised as he is so talented and often beats lads twice his age. Most snowboarders peak around age 22, so Will still has years to go. It will be really interesting to follow him and see what exciting things he produces.
Photo Credit: James Streater
Mia Brookes
Mia is a little GANGSTER! She has grown up around the growing UK snowboard scene, with amazing style and attitude, and she isn’t even a teenager yet! She is definitely one of the UK’s most exciting young riders. I’m pretty sure I heard she started snowboarding at age 2 when she went with her parents for a ski holiday in the French Alps. She is obviously a totally natural and has snowboarding in the genes.
I’m not sure which way she will go, the competition route or rebel against it all and ride street rails and get awesome video parts. She’s still very young so the Olympics aren’t on the cards yet. But I think if she wants it, she could definitely make it big on the competition circuit and be looking at a future Olympic team position.
I think it really is amazing that we have so many talented skiers and snowboarders coming out of the UK and holding our own when competing against riders that have grown up in the mountains. We are so lucky with the indoor/ dry slope scene to get kids into riding after school and on the weekends. With Jenny Jones setting the bar high in the last Olympics, it looks like we won’t have any trouble following suit at the 2018 Olympics in South Korea. Go Team GB!