From February 9 to 16, 2025, the best young European athletes specializing in winter sports will gather for the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), a true highlight for junior athletes. Although the UK is not typically known for its strong winter sports performances, a large and ambitious British delegation will travel to Georgia with the goal of achieving similar success to that of the senior athletes in recent competitions.
Aiming for a Better Performance Than in 2024
Ranging from 14 to 17 years old, 20 athletes will participate in seven of the eight sports on the program: Alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, figure skating, freestyle skiing, speed skating, and snowboarding. The EYOF plays a key role in the development of young athletes, both British and international, providing valuable experience in multi-sport competitions and guiding them toward their Olympic ambitions, competing alongside over a thousand athletes from 48 countries. Bakuriani, in the south of Georgia, has recently hosted several winter sports events, including the venue where Mia Brookes claimed her first world title in snowboard slopestyle at the 2023 World Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding Championships.
Snowboarder Emily Rothney, who arrives at this EYOF after securing a first and third place in recent European Cups, was thrilled to be selected: “I’m really excited to be selected, I can’t wait to go there, meet all my teammates, and start learning. I’ve tried a lot of new skills and jumps this season, and that has allowed me to have success in my competitions. This event gives me a fantastic opportunity to continue on this path and fully immerse myself in something new with sports and athletes I haven’t met before.”
Biathlete Isla Cadell also expressed her joy at being selected for the team: “A few years ago, I never imagined I would be selected for an event like this. It’s really exciting to be part of such an important event, and I’m honored to represent my country.”
The team also includes several athletes returning after competing in the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon. Elspeth Cruickshank, Sophie Forth, and Zak Carrick-Smith all competed in the South Korean competition, with Carrick-Smith making history by winning the first Alpine gold medal for the British team at an Olympic event. He later secured another gold medal and a silver, making him a key figure in this delegation.
This year’s British delegation follows in the footsteps of Katie Summerhayes, Niall Treacy, Chemmy Alcott, Kirsty Muir, Charlie Guest, and many others who represented Team GB at youth events before going on to compete in the senior Winter Olympics. Guest, who participated in an EYOF in 2009, later became a two-time Olympian, competing in PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022. He will take on the role of Athlete Ambassador for Bakuriani, offering guidance and support as athletes come together under the Team GB banner. Recently elected to the BOA Athlete Commission, he said: “I’m very proud to be appointed as Athlete Ambassador for the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival in Bakuriani. I’ve always been passionate about sport, and Team GB is an incredibly special team. Having the chance to inspire and share knowledge with the next generation is something I’m looking forward to. Having myself taken part in an EYOF in 2009, I know exactly how these athletes feel. So, I’ll be looking to provide them with helpful insights so they can make the most of this opportunity and further their careers.”
List of Selected Athletes:
Alpine Skiing
- Emily Turner – 17 years old – Berkshire
- Freddy Carrick-Smith – 17 years old – Savoie, France
- Hamish Blyth – 16 years old – Stirling
- Tabitha Milkins – 17 years old – Bristol
- Tia Freshwater – 16 years old – Inverness
- Toby Stephen – 17 years old – Surrey
- Zak Carrick-Smith – 17 years old – Savoie, France
Biathlon
- Isla Cadell – 16 years old – Prince George, Canada
Cross-Country Skiing
- Elspeth Cruickshank – 17 years old – Aberdeenshire
- Ewan McAdam – 17 years old – Fife
- Rasmus Ipsen – 17 years old – Aberdeenshire
- Sophie Forth – 17 years old – Aberdeenshire
Figure Skating
- Edward Solovyov – 15 years old – Northumberland
- Leilah Patten – 14 years old – South Yorkshire
Freestyle Skiing
- Artemii Teplov – 17 years old – East Sussex
- Sandra Gabriela Caune – 16 years old – Aberdeenshire
Short Track Speed Skating
- Albert (Albie) Barlow – 16 years old – Surrey
- Savi Buffey – 15 years old – East Yorkshire
Snowboarding
- Emily Rothney – 16 years old – Highlands
- Roahan Duncan – 16 years old – Dundee
