2010 Olympic qualifying standards set

Tue 17 March 09

The British Olympic Association has just announced the Olympic Qualifying Standards for Vancouver 2010, and the top British athletes now have the chance to earn a place in Team GB

Britain’s top snowsport athletes are one step closer to the most important event in their calendar - the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The British Olympic Association has just announced the Olympic Qualifying Standards for Vancouver 2010, and the top British athletes now have the chance to earn a place in Team GB.

The Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver begin on 12th February 2010. With less than 12 months left to finalise their preparations, the athletes have a tough training period ahead of them this summer leading into their competitive racing schedules as the Games approach.

Britain’s hot contenders include skiers Chemmy Alcott, Noel Baxter, Ed Drake and Dougie Crawford who have all already enjoyed a great start to this season with strong finishes at the World Championships in Val d’Isere in February. In snowboarding, Zoë Gillings, currently ranked number 6 in the world in snowboard cross, looks set to contend for a podium position in Vancouver, and other hopefuls are Ben Kilner, Dom Harington and Dan Wakeham competing in halfpipe. In cross country skiing, young athlete Andrew Musgrave has made huge strides this season, and looks certain to make an impression in Vancouver.

Mark Simmers, CEO of SnowsportGB, the National Governing Body said: “Now the qualifying criteria has been confirmed, the athletes know what they have to work towards in the next 12 months. It is tough for British athletes to compete at the top level in international snowsports, but for Vancouver we have a talented pool of experienced and younger athletes, who have the potential to put in highly competitive performances. The end goal has always been a place on the podium, and now they know the route to take them there.”

Below is a summary of the qualification standards required but for more information visit www.snowsportgb.com

Boardercross qualification

The number of FIS quota spots are 35 for MEN and 25 for WOMEN. The FIS World Ranking List (WRL) of 18 January 2010 for Olympic Quota Allocation will determine the number of quota places for each NOC.

The BOA will only accept as qualification for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games any individual MAN or WOMAN who achieves a minimum of 100 FIS points AND at least one of the following:

a) A minimum of 2 top 30 finishes in a registered FIS World Cup Event (in the 2008/2009 season or 2009/2010 season up to 18 January 2010); or
b) A minimum of 1 top 15 finishes in a registered FIS World Cup Event (in the 2008/2009 season or 2009/2010 season up to 18 January 2010); or
c) A minimum of 1 top 20 finish the 2009 FIS World Championships.

Halfpipe qualification

The number of FIS quota places are 40 for MEN and 30 for WOMEN. The FIS World Ranking List (WRL) of 18 January 2010 for Olympic Quota Allocation will determine the number of quota spots for each NOC

The BOA will only accept as qualification for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games any individual MAN or WOMAN who achieves a minimum of 100 FIS points AND at least one of the following:

a) A minimum of 2 top 30 finishes in a registered FIS World Cup Event (in the 2008/2009 season or 2009/2010 season up to 18 January 2010) ; or
b) A minimum of 1 top 15 finishes in a registered FIS World Cup Event (in the 2008/2009 season or 2009/2010 season up to 18 January 2010; or
c) A minimum of 1 top 20 finish the 2009 FIS World Championships.

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