“The combination of my military background and Invictus Games has taught me that creating a team that is aligned, mission-orientated and focused on the one vision, will help you achieve the success and the outcome you aspire for.”

We caught up with Vicky Gosling OBE, who was recently appointed the new CEO of British Ski & Snowboard , to find out exactly what her plans are to help make Britain one of the world’s top nations in international snowsports competition.

A former Group Captain in the Royal Air Force who went on to run the 2016 Invictus Games in Florida, Vicky joins the organisation at an exciting time following the most successful Winter Olympics for British snowsports.

When and where did you first go skiing?

Vicky: I first went skiing about 20 years ago in Livigno.

Any favourite resorts?

Vicky: Definitely Verbier!

 Are there particular ways in which you think your military background and your work on the Invictus Games is especially beneficial and linked to your role at British Ski & Snowboard?

Vicky: The combination of my military background and Invictus Games has taught me that creating a team that is aligned, mission-orientated and focused on the one vision, will help you achieve the success and the outcome you aspire for.

There have been a number of major announcements from British Ski & Snowboard this year, were these part of a new direction you’ve conceived?

Vicky: The merger with British Parasnowsport was in the pipeline when I took on the role, but it was brought forward a few months earlier than originally planned. That’s allowed us to play more of a role in the summer to ensure the athletes, coaches and support staff are in the position they need to be in to build even further on their great results in PyeongChang.

 What do you feel are the main advantages of the merger of the Olympic and Paralympic teams for the athletes?

Vicky: I think it is a brilliant opportunity for both the Olympic and Paralympic athletes to inspire and learn from each other. We’ve already had times during the summer where athletes from Olympic and Paralympic disciplines have been training at the same place at the same time and we certainly want everyone to feel like they’re part of one cohesive British squad. If there’s opportunities to bring more people together to train and learn from each other, it can only lead to greater outcomes.

The increased funding from UK Sport and your recent statement that you expected there’s “more investment across more (snow) sports” has raised expectations that more will be invested in traditional Alpine ski racing. Is that a correct assumption?

Vicky: Our Park & Pipe programme earned great funding from UK Sport in the past but we can’t expect to be a snowsports force just from those disciplines. The recent round of UK Sport funding will allow more investment in more disciplines as we look to be internationally competitive across the spectrum of all snowsports.

 From a marketing point-of-view, combining the results stats of the Olympic and Paralympic teams gives very impressive results already in terms of medals in Sochi and Pyeongchang. Are their other potential business advantages? 

Vicky: I think we are in a very exciting place right now. We have some exceptional talent, and we are certainly putting in place ‘what it takes to win’ across each of the British Ski & Snowboard disciplines.  We have seen the relatively recent successes within British cycling, rowing and gymnastics, along with numerous other British sporting achievements, and it is time to take Britain to heights beyond expectation in skiing and snowboarding.  It is clear that we have a great deal to offer sponsorship partners, and we are currently in negotiations with a number of interested parties who are well aware of our potential and want to be a part of the journey.