Our Ambassadorsays... Celebratethis historicalwinter!

ChemmyAlcott in praiseof someof the ski world's greats

This winter has been full of celebration.

GBWinter Sports is at an all-time high, enjoying a historical season, with our athletes achieving incredible podium results and victories not just on the mountain with alpine, moguls, telemark, freestyle, para Nordic, para alpine and snowboard cross, but also in the sliding sports -skeleton and bobsleigh, monobob and even ice dancing.

I was lucky enough to witness Dave Ryding's third Kitzbiihel podium a year after he reigned supreme. A masterclass of a second run propelled him to a silver medal. Dave is every ski racing fan's second favourite racer (after their home nation champ, obviously) for good reason. He is incredibly likeable, hardworking, selfdeprecating and humble. I consider myself lucky to call someone of whom I am such a fan also a friend!

Also big in alpine skiing is the history-making GOAT female ski racer Mikaela Shiffrin. She has put the last few challenging years (which have included her father's tragic accident and her struggles at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics) behind her to find formidable freedom to her skiing. I am writing this at the February 2023 World Championships in Meribel, where she summed up her current mindset after skiing out of the slalom to place second in the women's combined race: "The only way I have a chance is to ski full, full gas. So, I was doing that, taking the risk that you don't finish."

Mikaela won her 83rd race on 24 January 2023 at

Kronplatz, Italy to eclipse the all-time women's record held by Lindsey Vonn. Winning her next two races brought her to the brink of Ingemar Stenmark's record of 86 World Cup wins, which she just missed out on equalling when she placed second by a nail-biting 0.06 seconds in Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic. But I'm sure it will be hers before the winter is over -and I can't think of a more deserving history maker.

Then there are the retired superstars who are still leading the charge to empower others. Take the aforementioned Lindsey Vonn for example, with her courageous and slightly crazy launch down the most challenging men's World Cup course on the tour, the Streif, AT NIGHT! She has always, and will always, push the boundaries of what female speed skiers can achieve.

I'm also celebrating two big birthdays: this year marks 100 years of the Alpine Ladies Club -brave, pioneering women who risked it all for the sport we love. I tried skiing on a pair ofl00-year-old skis in their honour ... And a big happy 45th birthday to Ski Sunday! A television show that has moulded my life from when I first became a fan, aged just five years, and to now having the honour of presenting with Ed Leigh.

TheperfecthotelforawinterholidayinTyrol!

Lookingforsomethingtrulyspecial?At HotelEdelweiss& Gurgl,you'llfind relaxationin our luxuriousroomsandelegantsuites.Relaxin our spaciousspa areaandexperiencea marvelloustime in a winterwonderland.HotelEdelweiss&Gurgloffersyoumemorable momentsinthemountainsyou'lltreasureforever.

At HotelEdelweiss& Gurgl,guestsloveour excellent4-starsuperiorservice.You'llfind everythingyou needfor a successfulski holidayin the immediatevicinity.The hotel is located1,930metresabovesealevelin the centreof Obergurgland directlynextto the ski slope.ThereisasnowguaranteeintheObergurgl-HochgurglskiregionfrommidNovembertoearlyMay.