WHILE a lot of sport has been called off in Barnsley this week due to cold temperatures, one man from the town is hoping to thrive in freezing conditions overseas.
Elliott Bennett is due to represent Great Britain at the Alpine Junior World Ski Championships in Haute Savoie, France which start on Saturday and run until February 3.
The 20-year-old from Gawber said: “It’s a nice achievement.
“This is my last year as a junior so my last opportunity to go.
“It’s a big event and I have put in a lot of hard work with a lot of ups and downs to get there.
“It’s my first time on a really big stage.”
Elliott is due to compete individually in the downhill and Super G events, as well as a team competition.
“It would be nice to have a top ten finish in both my individual events.
“I have a better chance in downhill for something even better than a top ten.
“I have transferred to the speed events more so than slalom which was definitely the right path to go down.”
Elliott is committed full-time to skiing, living in France for most of the year – and competing on the skiing circuit around Europe – as well as spells in Chile in the summers.
When back in Barnsley, he works at his father Russell’s business Bennett’s Motorcycles on Sheffield Road. But he is not funded for his skiing.
“I am paying for everything myself to go to a World Championships.
“I am in the top 250 in the world and don’t have any financial help which is crazy. You see the Switzerland skiers turn up with ten coaches, two physios and a doctor. Then I just have my dad with me.
“It’s super difficult and we sometimes feel like we’re fighting a losing battle.
“Long-term I see myself doing some good things in the sport but not without any financial support.
“If we go another season without any, it will be difficult to progress to the next level. Some sponsorship would be a massive help.”
Elliott would like to compete in the Winter Olympics in the future, with the next one in Milan and Cortina in 2026.
“The Olympics is one of those once in a lifetime experiences which would be cool. But I don’t look too far ahead.
“I focus on what is just in front of me. I have had times looking at bigger goals and it hasn’t worked in terms of the mental side.
“The Olympics in 2026 would be cool but I just want to keep progressing.”
Elliott warmed up for the World Championships this week with two wins on the same day at an event in Italy.
To help sponsor Elliott, contact russellbennett@bennettsmotorcycles.co.uk
