SOELDEN, Austria – Britt Richardson doesn’t know if she will ever get used to seeing herself in ads, promotional portrayals, or in the media.
Although, the 2024 junior world champion is finding out it comes with the territory of being one of the best.
“It’s something that you never really expect comes with it but now that I’m in it I’m kind of realizing it’s part of it,” said Richardson of Canmore.
“It can be super fun having that exposure and seeing fans can be really fun to like talk to them and see their motivation and they just love meeting us and it’s cool to see inspiring the next generation.”
Now that the new FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season has started, Richardson’s spotlight is a little brighter, especially as the 21-year-old technical specialist continues to nip at the heels of the top ski racers.
Richardson finished 17th in giant slalom on Saturday (Oct. 26) in Soelden, Austria, at a time of 2:18.59 (1:07.94, 1:10.65).
Cassidy Gray of Panorama, British Columbia, was sitting in 24th place after the first run (1:09.08). Though it was her first time qualifying for a second run in Soelden, she did not finish the race.
As for Richardson, the top-20 is her best result at the classic season opener World Cup, which Richardson said is also the most exhausting race on the calendar because of the elevation gain and the ski hill’s notoriously steep pitch.
There is plenty of room for improvement, she said, adding she knows she can do more in the build up to February's 2025 World Ski Championships – the biggest competition of the season.
“My skiing improved over the summer; we worked hard in both the gym and on the snow so hoping to bring that forward into the season and keep the upwards momentum,” Richardson said.
Italy’s Federica Brignone won gold (2:16.05) in Soelden, while New Zealand’s Alice Robinson took silver (2:16.22), and Austria’s Julia Schieb brought home bronze (2:17.13).
USA’s Mikaela Shiffrin was fifth (2:17.26).
In the second run, the quick Canmore skier’s time was faster than six athletes ahead of her in the final standings, including the United States’ ski star.
After last season’s jump up in development, in which Richardson won the 2024 GS World Junior Championship and had two top-15 World Cup results, the 21-year-old’s confidence has grown when it comes to competing with the world’s best more consistently.
“I always go out of the start gate and hope to do the best I can and reach the podium every run,” said Richardson. “I’m hoping to kind of punch in the top-15 more often and looking to kind of find some top-10 results, if possible.”
The next GS World Cup ski races take place in Killington, USA, at the end of November.
.png;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
