The 2018 winter Olympics will take place in Pyeongchang, South Korea from Friday 9 February 2018 to Sunday 25 February 2018. On 9 January 2018, the funding body UK Sport (the UK Government’s organisation for directing the development of sport within the United Kingdom) announced their medal targets for Team GB at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games with the target to win at least five medals (with the medal target set of 2-3 for skiing and snowboarding) which if achieved would be a record breaking haul for Team GB at a Winter Olympic Games with this in mind it seems apt that I interviewed Angus Wills, an 18 year old member of the British Alpine Ski Team.
What inspired you to become a competitive skier?
“Britain’s most successful skier Dave Ryding who showed me it was possible for a Brit to become one of the world’s best ski racers.”
What age did you start skiing?
“Age 2 with my family”
Do you have any people you look up to?
“Dave Ryding and generally any Olympian in any sport as I know the sacrifices they would have made to get to where they are.”
What advice do you have for young children with aspirations of going into competitive skiing?
“Make sure you always get to have some fun. Completive sport is tough and there can be lots of downs along the way so you need to make sure there are some ups, either through producing some great performances (not always possible) or creating your own fun!”
What are the best things about skiing?
“Being in the mountains and speed!”
What are the worst things about skiing?
“Early mornings, bad weather and injuries.”
What would you do differently (if anything)?
“Try and put a little more emphasis on enjoying the moment as competitive sport can be mentally draining at times with no escape.”
What are the challenges in competitive skiing both in relation to being a skier from a non-Alpine sport country and in terms of balancing school life with skiing?
“Competing against guys that get to ski every day and who have dedicated sports schools that lets them train and get an education at the same time.”
What have you had to sacrifice in order to be able to ski competitively?
“You have very limited social life but your team becomes your family so it is not too much of a problem. Also need to stick to a strict diet and gym regime, which can be tough.”
What is your single best skiing achievement to date?
“Top 10 finish at European Youth Olympics last year in Turkey.”
I wish Angus Wills and all of the other fearless athletes from Team GB and the other participating countries the very best in the Winter Olympics to come. I can only imagine how intensive and unforgiving the training they endure must be, but victory will be theirs irrespective of the results!
Written by Tara Tate, Farringtons School
