Photo Credit: Simone DeCillia
This weekend, the eldest of the three emerging British brothers, Luca Carrick-Smith, will take center stage, joining the British trio of Dave Ryding, Billy Major, and Laurie Taylor at the start of Sunday’s opening World Cup men’s slalom of the Olympic season. His younger brothers, Freddy and Zak, will be watching closely as the Carrick-Smith name continues to rise on the international stage.
Making British History
Sunday will mark the first time that four Britons have started the same World Cup race, reflecting the undeniable influence Ryding has already had on the next generation.
At March’s 2025 World Junior Championships (WJC), Luca became Britain’s first slalom medalist in WJC competition — and the nation’s first medalist of any kind since 1984 — earning slalom bronze in Tarvisio.
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The Carrick-Smiths Announce Themselves
After watching his younger brother, Freddy (18), impress international viewers during his World Cup debut last month in Sölden, Luca said, “We were all there and very excited (in Sölden), and I’m very excited about it all. Sure, I’ll be a little bit nervous, but I’m just going to try to ski my best and see what happens.”
To this point, Luca has started three Europa Cup races, including the first two of last season on the Levi Black World Cup piste.
The Levi Slalom
When asked about Levi as the venue for his debut, Carrick-Smith said, “It’s always good to start (a season) with a difficult race and see where you’re at. I knew at the end of last season that I’d probably be able to start Levi, and I’ll hopefully start a few more World Cups throughout the season.”
The Race Ahead
Luca shared his goals for his World Cup debut: “I think if the conditions are correct, there’s a very big chance I can ski straight in there,” he said. “But you have to ski well on the day and perform, so of course that’s the goal, and hopefully I am in the right mindset and everything comes together to make it happen.”
With full support from his parents — four-time Olympian mother Emma Carrick-Anderson and father Phil Smith — along with his younger twin brothers, Freddy and Zak, cheering him on, there’s no doubt Luca can deliver a performance that makes Britain and Team Carrick-Smith proud.
About the Author: Matt Garcka
