Great Britain’s skiing representatives got cold water down their necks after the Beijing Olympics when their funding was cut. This has also affected Andrew Musgrave’s training.
Anu Karttunen,
Laura Arffman
Men’s top ten third (you switch to another service) Andrew Musgrave was one of the happiest skiers of the day in Beitostölen. It wasn’t his first place in the World Cup, but almost five years had passed since the last time. The Scotsman, who had already lived in Norway for more than 10 years, was third in the Toblach 15 km freestyle race at that time.
The success was also important for Great Britain’s tiny cross-country team, which got cold water on its neck after last season: the British agency responsible for funding, UK Sport, removed support from all the country’s skiing sports because it was disappointed with the results of the Beijing Olympics. In addition to skiers, funding came from alpine skiers and paraskiers.
The incident has also affected Andrew Musgrave’s training.
– I have done things a little differently this season because our team lost all funding after the Olympics. We didn’t have any training camps in the summer, the coaches didn’t get paid at all and we’ve been really unsure if we’ll get a team, Musgrave said.
Visibility is important with success
However, the skiers and their coaches were not at a loss, as they actively raised the issue on social media (you switch to another service) and founded of the crowdfunding site (you will switch to another service). Through this, they were able to collect more than 22,000 pounds (about 26,000 euros) during the summer and autumn. The team’s goal is to collect 75,000 pounds so that the skiers can participate not only in the World Cup but also in the World Cup in Planica.
Musgrave said he made a careful assessment of last season and what he had done in practice.
– It feels like I’ve done everything a little better now. Because if there is no team, then you really have to be successful in the competitions in order to get prize money and enter new competitions. I have to ski hard! he noted.
– Reaching the podium is never a bad thing. It gives visibility to our sponsors, to whom we are extremely grateful.
Besides Musgrave Andrew Young skied for the World Cup points in the day’s race, being 23rd. Joe Davies instead it was only 63.
Next time, Musgrave will look for success in the World Cup in Davos, as Great Britain does not have a team for Sunday’s mixed relay in Beitostölen.
– If I can get to the awards with traditional skiing, I think I can do even better with free, Musgrave advised.