(Delancy celebrates new BSS principal sponsor role with Jenny Jones - (from left to right) Dave Edwards, Ben Kilner, Posy Musgrave, Roy Steudle, Sir John Ritblat, Billy Morgan, Jenny Jones, Dom Harington, Katie Ormerod, Dan Charlish)
Sir John Ritblat, President of British Snow Sport (BSS) and Chairman of the Advisory Board at Delancey, a company which is a leading backer of elite British snow sport, has called for more support for British skiers and snowboarders.
"The British have been a leading force in winter sports for over a hundred years, and though skiing has had many Royal patrons and over two million recreational skiers, it is still treated as a second-class sport to football, rugby and many summer Olympic sports," said Sir John, "Many of us recall the names of Konrad Bartelski, Graham and Martin Bell, Alain Baxter and Finlay Mickel, but few remember that they all ranked in the top 15 in the world, nor the success they achieved against the international Alpine nations against whom they competed. It is wonderful that the likes of Jenny Jones, Chemmy Alcott, Dave Ryding and Billy Morgan are finally getting the recognition they deserve."
Ski John was speaking at a post Sochi celebratory party staged at the Arts Club in Dover Street, Central London this week and attended by top British performers at the recent Games including Jenny Jones and Billy Morgan led the celebrations at a party marking the achievements of Great Britain's skiers and snowboarders at the recent Winter Olympic Games.
Snowboarders Billy Morgan, Ben Kilner, Dom Harington and Katie Ormerod, skier Roy Steudle and cross country skier Posy Musgrave were also in attendance.
"This is my 36th year of supporting British snowsports, and we are extremely proud that Delancey has been able to play its own small part in supporting our nation's dedicated athletes. British skiers have more than enough talent to continue do well internationally, however they do need to be decently financed if this is to happen, and if future success is to be fostered from the ground roots up."
Delancey were announced as new Principal Sponsor of British Ski and Snowboard prior to the Sochi Winter Olympic Games, and the company's funding has already provided Olympic support and will be critical to the future development of British snowsports – providing training and development funding for Alpine, Snowboard, Freestyle and Cross Country athletes.
It will now support those working towards the 2018 Olympic Winter Games and will also reach younger stars, giving them the opportunity to pursue their passion via the provision of facilities and training in the UK and internationally.
"Delancey's support during the last four years has been invaluable. This new, exciting arrangement will enable us to continue the work that we have started and will help us to create an even stronger team of athletes who can win multiple medals in Pyeongchang in 2018 and win World Cup and World Championship medals on their way there," said BSS Chief Executive Dave Edwards.
The headline sponsorship is in addition to Delancey's fourth year of title sponsorship for the Delancey British National Alpine Championships - which takes place in Meribel from the 30th March to 11th April this year.