Ollie Davies competes in Livigno ski cross on Saturday after Team GB wins

Ollie Davies races in Livigno this Saturday. This follows recent gold medals for Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale in snowboard cross.
By Newsroom | Sports, Winter Sports |

British ski cross athlete Ollie Davies is preparing to compete in Livigno, aiming to build on recent successes by his Team GB snowboard cross teammates. The event, taking place on Saturday, will feature seeding, heats, and finals all within a single day. Davies, who was GB's first Olympian in ski cross four years ago, is set to compete in the men's event as part of the Milano Cortina games preparations. His participation follows recent gold medal wins by Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale in snowboard cross.

Ski cross star Ollie Davies hoping to continue British momentum on snow in Livigno - 1

Background and Career Trajectory

Ollie Davies has a documented history in ski racing, originating from Guildford, England. He gained early experience competing in the Tarentaise region and at the French National Championships. By the age of 14, he was participating in the British Championships and was selected for the British Alpine Squad.

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Ski cross star Ollie Davies hoping to continue British momentum on snow in Livigno - 2

  • Davies later transitioned to ski cross, a discipline noted for its speed and jumps.

  • He achieved a significant milestone by becoming the Junior World Champion in New Zealand in 2019.

  • He was the first ever British Olympian in ski cross, participating four years prior to the current Milano Cortina games.

  • Davies is currently listed as the sole representative for Great Britain in ski cross at the World Cup level for the 2024/25 season, according to GB Snowsport.

Davies's path to the current competitive season has not been without hurdles. A notable challenge involved changes in his coaching setup.

Ski cross star Ollie Davies hoping to continue British momentum on snow in Livigno - 3

  • His coach of six years was let go, leading to a period of adjustment.

  • He reportedly had disagreements with his new coach and considered leaving the sport.

  • It is understood that his sister, Esme Davies, has taken on a coaching role. Esme Davies also works within the ski industry and has been a consistent supporter of his career.

  • Despite these setbacks, Davies secured an Olympic qualifying spot, achieving a best World Cup result of 12th. This performance occurred with a perceived shift towards a more relaxed approach.

The Nature of Ski Cross

Ski cross is characterized by its fast pace and the inclusion of jumps, distinguishing it from other skiing disciplines.

Ski cross star Ollie Davies hoping to continue British momentum on snow in Livigno - 4

  • The sport involves multiple competitors racing simultaneously down a course featuring various obstacles.

  • The structure of the Livigno competition, with seeding, heats, and finals occurring on the same day, demands consistent performance throughout.

  • Davies himself has commented on changes to the start of the course, noting it has been altered to increase speed.

  • There is an acknowledgement within reports that success in ski cross can be influenced by unpredictable elements and a degree of luck.

Team GB's Snowsport Presence

The upcoming competitions are framed within a broader context of recent successes for British athletes in snowsports.

  • The snowboard cross team, including Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale, recently achieved gold medals in a team event.

  • Davies is presented as an athlete aiming to replicate or extend this positive momentum into the ski cross discipline.

  • GB Snowsport's stated commitment is to nurture talent and compete at the highest international levels.

  • The selection of athletes for the 2024/25 squads, including Davies, reflects this organizational goal.

Expert and Athlete Perspectives

Davies's mindset and aspirations have been conveyed through various outlets.

"greatness' is only a ski away."

  • This quote, attributed to Davies, suggests a forward-looking perspective focused on achievement.

  • He has previously shared his journey, including moving to France at a young age and receiving Olympic kit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Davies is reportedly preparing for his second Olympic Games.

  • He has also discussed strategies for maintaining composure under pressure and offered advice to aspiring athletes.

Findings and Future Outlook

Ollie Davies is a recognized figure in British ski cross, with a history of significant achievements including a Junior World Championship and being the nation's inaugural Olympian in the discipline. His current competitive focus is on the upcoming event in Livigno, where he aims to leverage the positive momentum generated by his snowboard cross teammates.

Davies has navigated personal and professional challenges, including changes in coaching staff, which at one point nearly led him to abandon the sport. The support of his sister, Esme Davies, appears to have been a crucial factor in his return to competitive form and securing an Olympic qualifying spot. His participation as the sole British representative in ski cross at the World Cup level underscores his unique position within the sport. The inherent unpredictability of ski cross, combined with Davies's stated readiness and recent performances, positions him as an athlete to observe in the ongoing season.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Ollie Davies competing in Livigno on Saturday?
Ollie Davies is competing in a ski cross event in Livigno on Saturday. He wants to continue the good results seen by his Team GB snowboard cross teammates.
Q: Who is Ollie Davies?
Ollie Davies is a British ski cross athlete from Guildford. He was the first British Olympian in ski cross and won the Junior World Championship in 2019.
Q: What challenges has Ollie Davies faced?
Ollie Davies had problems with his coaches and almost quit the sport. His sister, Esme Davies, helped him return to competing and he qualified for the Olympics.
Q: What is ski cross?
Ski cross is a fast skiing race with jumps where multiple skiers go down a course at the same time. The Livigno event has seeding, heats, and finals all on the same day.
Q: How is Team GB doing in snowsports?
Team GB's snowboard cross team, including Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale, recently won gold medals. Ollie Davies hopes to bring similar success to ski cross.
Q: What is Ollie Davies's goal?
Ollie Davies is preparing for his second Olympic Games and wants to achieve greatness in ski cross. He is currently the only British ski cross athlete competing at the World Cup level.