The 2025 Winter European Youth Olympic Festival in Bakuriani, Georgia, continues to smile upon Britain’s young talents. After a strong start to the competition, highlighted by Freddy Carrick-Smith’s historic gold in giant slalom and bronze medals for his brother Zak in slalom and Sandra Caune in slopestyle, Team GB has maintained its upward trajectory. On February 14 and 15, the British delegation once again made its mark in freestyle events (ski and snowboard), delivering two outstanding performances in Big Air. Emily Rothney and Sandra Caune added more silverware to Britain’s tally, further cementing the nation’s growing status in snow and freestyle disciplines.
Britain’s rising freestyle ski star at EYOF 2025
Sandra Caune continues to impress in Bakuriani. After clinching bronze in slopestyle, she dominated the Big Air final this morning, reinforcing her reputation as one of Britain’s and the world’s most exciting young freestyle ski prospects. She was in a league of her own during qualifying and carried that dominance into the final, landing the best jumps in both of the opening rounds. With a combined score of 170.50 points, she convincingly beat Estonia’s Simona Revjagin, who had edged her out in slopestyle, finishing a significant 24.75 points ahead.
With her second medal, Caune becomes the first British skier to claim two titles in freestyle skiing at the EYOF 2025, firmly establishing herself as one of the sport’s rising stars.
A decisive final jump to secure Big Air gold
Shortly after, in the early hours of February 15, Emily Rothney delivered Great Britain’s fifth medal of the festival and third gold, in freestyle skiing. Sitting second after her first jump, she slipped down the rankings following a less successful second attempt. However, on her third and final run, she executed a spectacular jump, scoring a total of 156.75 points to seal the victory.
At just 16 years old, Rothney has already made her mark on the international stage, with podium finishes at the EYOF, Junior World Championships, and even the Europa Cup. Her success has propelled this ambitious British team to an unexpected fourth place in the medal standings, level on golds with winter sports powerhouses France, Italy, and Switzerland.
