New names join familiar faces in 2022-23 GB Freestyle squad

Oct 10, 2022·Snowboard Cross

Charlotte Bankes with her 2021/22 SBX crystal globe at the World Cup finals in Veysonnaz © GEPA

Confirmation of the 2022-23 freestyle squad brings together some of the world’s most exciting ski and snowboard talent competing under the Great Britain Snowsport banner.

Reigning Snowboard Cross World Champion and Crystal Globe holder, Charlotte Bankes, is among the 52 athletes named today in the British Freestyle Ski and Snowboard squad ahead of the start of the 2022-23 season.

Featuring athletes competing across seven disciplines, the squad also boasts 9 World Cup, World Championship and X Games podium holders, as well as perhaps the world’s most exciting young snowboarder in Mia Brookes.

Brookes, who is set to make her World Cup debut as part of the Freestyle “A” Squad, heads into the season off the back of a record of eight victories and one runner-up spot from nine competitions in the 2021/22 season as well as three ANZ competition wins in Perisher, Australia this summer. She is joined by Beijing Olympian Katie Ormerod, Maisie Hill, Billy Cockrell, Jamie Nicholls and Fin Bremner in an exciting Slopestyle/Big Air line-up which also includes Liam Tynan, Lenny Fenning, Charlie Lane, Teiva Hamaini, Amber Fennell, and Emily Rothney in the ‘B’ Squad. Siddartha Ullah, meanwhile, takes a ‘B’ Squad spot as the sole member of the British Freestyle Snowboard Half Pipe line-up. Matt McCormick, who has been an integral part of the Freestyle Snowboard squad since 2015, will be stepping away from the World Class Programme squad environment owing to the effects of a long-lasting concussion. Matt will focus on other projects while remaining a part of the snowboard community, and will always remain a valued and highly-respected part of the GB Snowsport family.

Charlotte Bankes will compete alongside Maisie Potter and fellow Beijing Olympian Huw Nightingale in the Snowboard Cross World Cup Squad, while a nine-person Ski Cross Squad will see World Cup Squad members Ollie Davies and Emma Peters joined by Tommy Dade, Scott Johns, Owen Johns, Gregory Baillie, Max Vaughton, Patrick Young, Alannah Lawrie, and Claire Winthrop in the Europa Cup Squad.

In a Freeski Slopestyle and Big Air ‘A’ Squad roster packed full of experience at the top of the sport, Beijing competitors James Woods, Katie Summerhayes and Kirsty Muir have been selected alongside 2018 Olympic medallist Izzy Atkin and are joined by Tyler Harding, Chris McCormick, James Pouch, Tom Greenway and Connie Brogden. Jasper Klein, Felix Klein, Justin Taylor-Tipton, Mason Ferebee, and Dylan Boyes make up the ‘B’ Squad.

Fresh from her Olympic debut in Beijing, Zoe Atkin is the sole Freeski Halfpipe ‘A’ Squad competitor for the coming season, with Sam Gaskin and Sam Ward both selected in the ‘B’ Squad. Gus Kenworthy, whose final competition came in the Beijing Olympic Winter Games Halfpipe Final, leaves the Squad as one of the most iconic Freeskiers of all time, following confirmation of his retirement.

In Moguls, a six-person World Cup Squad features Leonie, Makayla, and Tom Gerken Schofield with Will Feneley, Skyler Nunn, and Mateo Jeannesson rounding out the line-up.

A number of athletes named across the squads are included on provisional selection status, pending their ability to hit agreed criteria during the coming season.

Speaking after the squad announcment, Mia Brookes said:

“I can’t wait for the season to get started and to get going with all the other guys on the GB squad. The last couple of years have been insane, and this year’s a big opportunity for me to show the world what I can do. I’ve grown up seeing what Katie and Jamie have done for British snowboarding over the past few years, and training alongside them is pretty cool.”

Chris McCormick said:

“Looking ahead it’s definitely going to be a busy season with a lot of contests in the calendar. It’s an exciting time with plenty of experience in the team as well as some new faces and we’re all stoked to show what British Freeskiing is capable of.”

Head Coach, Pat Sharples, added:

“We’re really proud to name a Freestyle Squad with so many of the world’s biggest names in its ranks. Our Freestyle skiers and snowboarders are some of the most exciting athletes in the world, and the blend of experience and emerging talent in the British ranks is super exciting.

“Everyone selected in this year’s Squad should be really proud of themselves, and I’d like to particularly congratulate all the athletes selected for the first time this year. This is such an exciting time to be part of this team and we can expect to see some huge performances over the next 10 months.”

FREESKI – SLOPESTYLE & BIG AIR

A Squad