Gangwon 2024: Zak Carrick-Smith writes more history for Great Britain with second Youth Olympic gold in men's slalom
The 16-year-old gave Great Britain the second alpine gold medal, and the third overall, at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Gangwon.
Alpine Skiing
Zak Carrick-Smith wrote another historic chapter for Great Britain in alpine skiing on Thursday (25 January) by winning the men's slalom and clinching his second gold, and third medal, at the Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
The 16-year-old was third after the first run, but in the second, the two Swedes who held the leading positions were not able to beat his aggregate time of 1:38.61: Elliot Westlund finished in second, five hundredths of a second behind, while Liam Liljenborg crashed out in the last section.
Bronze went to giant slalom champion Nash Huot-Marchand of France, while Neo Kamada came in fourth, just missing out on a podium for Japan.
Carrick-Smith had claimed a historic title earlier in these Youth Olympics in the men's combined, and a silver medal in giant slalom:
"[This medal] means the world, it's just unbelievable, they [these medals] all mean so much, they are so hard," said Carrick-Smith after the race.
This also represents the best result for Team GB in the sport during an Olympic event:
"It's just amazing, we are just slowly climbing up the ladder, we are just getting more and more known and I'm trying to help with that," he added.
Regarding his run, the Brit explained how he adopted a smart approach again: "I was at the top and I could barely feel my legs, I was so tired from the past few days, and I just thought, 'I'm going to give everything in this run, I also stayed smart, and it paid off."
Carrick-Smith will also be in action on Friday for the Parallel Team event along with Molly Burton.
Zak Carrick-Smith: Gangwon 2024 has been 'massive' for me and GB
After coming away with two individual golds and one silver, Carrick-Smith will be remembered as one of alpine stars of these Games:
"I think they are crazy memorable. I think this is something that I’m going to remember in five, ten years, if I’m racing in the top circuit. But just the experience in South Korea, getting through medals, that’s just been unbelievable," he said.
"This event is massive not just for me but for all of GB, for the funding, and for everything, and even for my confidence, this is just amazing."
Gangwon 2024 can serve as a significant stepping stone towards the next Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026, just two years away:
"I think there’s a possibility, but it’s always been a dream to compete in the Olympics. I’m looking forward to it, but at the moment I’m trying to be in the moment and enjoy just everything that’s been happening here over the last few days."
Gangwon 2024 - Alpine skiing: Men's slalom results
Thursday, 25 January - Top 10
- Zak Carrick-Smith (GBR) 1:38.61
- Elliot Westlund (SWE) +0.05
- Nash Huot-Marchand (FRA) +0.26
- Neo Kamada (JPN) +1.48
- Jevin Palmquist (USA) +1.54
- Leo Scherer (GER) +1.70
- Lars Horvath (GER) +1.78
- Edoardo Simonelli (ITA) +2.28
- Pietro Scesa (ITA) +2.67
- Nicolas Quintero (ARG) +2.99
Full results: here
How to watch alpine skiing at Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Games
Action from the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics is available live, worldwide, and without subscription on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com and the official Olympics app.
Full replays and highlights of all six competition days for alpine skiing will be available, and you can catch highlights, reaction interview clips, news articles, and full results from the Republic of Korea across the website and official Olympics social media accounts.