The Brit Six is setting new standards

Previously, the British Alpine Team had three different athletes score World Cup points in a single season just six times. The 2019–20 season marked a breakthrough, as Great Britain set a national record with four athletes scoring. Two years later, the program rewrote the record books again.

The 2021–22 season delivered the “Brit Six,” with a record six British skiers scoring Alpine World Cup points. Charlie Raposo became the first British man to score giant slalom World Cup points since 1968. Dave Ryding capped the season by becoming the first British alpine skier to win a World Cup race.

It was a year of historic firsts and falling national records—ample reason for celebration. Yet despite the on-snow success, GB Snowsports continues to operate under significant financial strain.

Meet the Six

First, let’s celebrate by meeting the Brit Six and reviewing their 2021/22 World Cup performances.

Dave Ryding DOB: December 5th, 1986

Fischer athlete
Kandahar Ski Club
Won his first Alpine World Cup, a slalom, on January 22nd, 2022, in the Kitzbühel, Austria
2nd in Garmisch-Partenkirchen February 2, 2022
Ryding finished the season ranked 8th in SL and 11th on the World Cup SL Startlist.

Alex Tilley DOB: October 5th, 1993
Kaestle athlete
Team Evolution
Due to injury, Tilley only competed in one World Cup GS this season, and she was fast, 13th in Soelden.

Charlie Guest DOB: December 30th, 1993
Fischer athlete
Scottish Ski Club-BSA
She had her best season in 2021/22
Guest scored World Cup points in 6 Slaloms
She finished 26 in the season SL standings and 27th on the World Cup Start list.

Charlie Raposo DOB: January 15th, 1996
Van Deer athlete
Green Mountain Valley School / Global Racing Team
Raposo became the first British male to score GS World Cup points since 1968.
He scored two days in a row in Kranjska Gora.
He also scored his very first World Cup points in the Parallel event in Lech/Zuers

Laurie Taylor DOB: February 10th, 1996
HEAD athlete
British Ski Academy
Taylor scored World Cup points this season in the Madona di Campiglio SL.

Billy Major DOB: November 21st, 1996
Fischer athlete
Major scored the first World Cup points of his career under the lights in Schladming, Austria, finishing 18th

Significant challenges exist

There is, however, a rub. After a record-setting season, one might expect GB Snowsports’ financial resources to be growing. They are not. Instead, the program has absorbed budget cuts.

All but two athletes continue to contribute £25,000—more than $30,000 USD—to GB Snowsports to help fund their programs. Alex Tilley, for her own reasons, operates independently of the national team structure. When you look at this group of accomplished skiers and staff, another detail stands out: the absence of multiple sponsor patches on their outerwear. While the clean look may appear aesthetically superior, it also tells a clear financial story.

The athletes’ willingness to shoulder these costs reflects an extraordinary level of commitment from them and their families. Still, it is far from ideal that a group of successful national-team athletes must pay such a high price simply to participate.

Those financial realities make the achievements even more striking. Six British alpine skiers scored World Cup points in a single season—a national record. Congratulations to the athletes and staff who made up the Brit Six.

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