fifth April 2025 | Jane Peel, Mayrhofen, Austria
A ten-year-old British boy is making a buzz within the snowsports world after constantly beating older athletes in competitions. PlanetSKI was on the Nationwide Championships, The BRITS, to satisfy freestyle snowboarder Riley Sharpe and two younger skiers who’re additionally tipped for fulfillment. NEW
Nice Britain has a formidable pedigree on the subject of freestyle expertise.
There are such a lot of success tales – at World Championships, Olympics, World Cups and X Video games.
To call a couple of:
Olympic medallists Jenny Jones, Billy Morgan and Izzy Atkin.Zoe Atkin (Izzy’s sister), the 2025 Ski Halfpipe World ChampionKirsty Muir, who took her maiden World Cup win in Ski Slopestyle in March.Mia Brookes, the 18-year-old who received the 2024-25 Snowboard General Park & Pipe Crystal Globe, ending this season on the prime of the world rankings.
Riley Sharpe may very well be becoming a member of that record sooner or later.
He’s already drawing comparisons to Mia Brookes.
May he be on the identical trajectory to the highest?
RILEY SHARPE
Riley Sharpe. Picture © PlanetSKI
The similarities with Mia are clear to see.
When Mia was Riley’s age, she too was beating a lot older opponents.
She was the final Beneath-12 to win not simply her age class at The BRITS – the British Snowboard & Freeski Championships – however the General (Open) title in her occasions.
This final week, within the Austrian resort of Mayrhofen, Riley did the identical, triumphing General in Slopestyle and Huge Air, laying down the very best runs of the Championships.
General winner, Snowboard Slopestyle at The BRITS 2025. Picture © Craig Robinson
General winner, Snowboard Huge Air at The BRITS 2025. Picture © Craig Robinson
Riley additionally received the Beneath-16s Rail Jam and Beneath-12s Snowboard Cross.
Beneath-12s winner, Snowboard Cross at The BRITS 2025. Picture © Craig Robinson
However his victories usually are not simply in opposition to British opposition.
When he was 8 he received each competitors on The Swiss Tour within the Beneath-11s.
He’s at the moment main this season’s Ziller Valley Rally in Austria with one cease to come back on 4th Could.
The week earlier than The BRITS, he competed within the World Rookie Tour finals in Kaprun the place he took the Tremendous Groms (U12) title.
Riley’s UK house is close to Nantwich in Cheshire, coincidentally simply down the highway from Mia Brookes.
In the summertime he trains within the UK’s snowdomes, however he spends all winter within the mountains, honing his expertise.
His mum and pa, James and Jennifer, are with him each step of the best way to look at and assist him.
James & Jennifer Sharpe. Picture © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI caught up with them and Riley simply after his Slopestyle runs at The BRITS.
We additionally spoke to Riley’s predominant coach, Barry Parker, of Actual Snowboarding in Morzine.
We requested him simply how good Riley is.
So, watch this area.
Within the meantime, we hope Riley has loads of area in his baggage.
Riley Sharpe along with his full set of medals & trophies from The BRITS 2025. Picture © James Sharpe
ELLA HALL & MAX BAXTER-FOX
Ella Corridor & Max Baxter-Fox with coaches Bobby Taylor & Tyler Harding. Picture © PlanetSKI
Ella (16) and Max (12) are two of the younger skiers who impressed at The BRITS, each making a number of podiums.
Ella was first Beneath 18 and first General in each Ski Cross and Slopestyle.
Ella Corridor (centre) winner of General Ski Slopestyle. Picture © Craig Robinson
Max and Ella additionally each received their classes on the Rail Jam.
They’re an instance of what will be achieved on dry slopes within the UK.
They’ve each educated at Warmwell Snowsports Centre close to Weymouth and Snowtrax close to Christchurch.
They nonetheless spend most of their time within the UK however went into The BRITS straight from an on-snow coaching camp in Mayrhofen with Snowsport England coaches, Bobby Taylor and Tyler Harding.
Ella and Max are each within the Snowsport England B Squad however, in response to Tyler, who was within the GB Snowsport World Cup squad till retiring final 12 months, they’re on the cusp of creating the A squad.
On the rails in Ski Slopestyle. Picture © Craig Robinson
“Ella is an distinctive rail skier,” Tyler advised us.
“That’s the place her severe expertise is.
“Rails got here into the Europa Cup this season and she or he got here third in Poland, fourth in The Hague and was second within the Europa Collection general.
“Together with her outcomes, she ought to be eligible when Rail Jams are included within the World Cup quickly – hopefully subsequent season.
“She’s not too unhealthy at Slopestyle both!”
Right here she is on an inspection run for the Slopestyle at The BRITS.
Tyler says Max is the least like a 12-year-old of anybody he is aware of.
Max Baxter-Fox. Picture © PlanetSKI
“He’s a really mature skier. He retains info extraordinarily effectively,” he says.
“He has lots of expertise now and an distinctive work ethic.
“He’s good on jumps and rails so is sweet for Slopestyle, Rail Jams and Huge Air.
“I’m anticipating him to do superb issues sooner or later.”
Ski Huge Air at The BRITS 2025. Picture © Craig Robinson
Riley, Ella and Max weren’t the one younger freestylers to face out at The BRITS 2025.
We sit up for following the progress of extra rising stars subsequent 12 months and past.
Skier Hatti Wilson, age 9, at The BRITS 2025. Picture © PlanetSKI
Take a look at britssnow on Instagram for extra movies and images from The BRITS 2025.
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The BRITS 2025. Picture © PlanetSKI
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