OFF THE WALL : Ski Mountaineering Steering group launched
Ski Mountaineering (SkiMo) and Ski Touring are fast developing in Britain, with many thousands of us now taking to the wilds on skis every winter.
There is also an increasing involvement in British SkiMo racing, both domestically and internationally, largely enabled and championed by the excellent SkiMo Scotland series.
Every year, a committed group of amateur athletes don their Lycra race kit, and compete in a series of races across the Scottish Ski resorts and further afield.
As the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina grow closer, the eligibility criteria has been released by the International Ski Mountaineering Federation and approved by the IOC.
With this in mind, an enthusiastic group of athletes from within the SkiMo community, in conjunction with the sport’s National Governing Body, the BMC, has been established.
The current members are:
Andy Bryce (Co Chair)
Paul Ratcliffe (Co Chair)
Ursula Moore (Athlete Advocate)
Di Gilbert (SkiMo Scotland Representative)
Lorraine Brown (BMC/GBClimbing Representative)
Stuart Younie (Mountaineering Scotland Representative)
Pete Davies (Coaching Advisor support Pathway Development)
Kevin McHugh (Sport Scotland)
The aim of the steering group is to put in place an athlete development process, a robust selection policy, instigate a coaching pathway, and further advance the sport in the UK.
Initially, the Steering Group will seek to create a structure that allows the sport and its participants to flourish, with a stretch aim of selecting potential athletes for Cortina in 2026.
CALL TO ACTION:
We are seeking to expand the initial steering group, by asking for volunteers to join us in this endeavour.
A virtual 'town hall' session, for all those interested in being involved, either as athletes or in the development of the sport (or both), is planned for 18:30 on 1 Nov 23.
Please contact gbcadmin@thebmc.co.uk for further details before the above date.