The popular resort of Obergurgl is to become the main training ground for top British skier Dave Ryding after he agreed a deal that will see Obergurgl-Hochgurgl ski resort become his principal sponsor.
Ryding is seen as one of the top hopes for a British medal during the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in South Korea and will carry out much of his training in Obergurgl as he prepares to go for glory in the slalom.
The new partnership comes at a time when Obergurgl-Hochgurgl is becoming increasingly popular with British skiers looking to enjoy a top class winter break.
In winter 2016/17, 143,000 overnight stays were booked at the resort by tourists from the UK, which accounted for 23 per cent of the total number of tourists of visitors.
“We have been welcoming British tourists here for over 100 years and it is our great pleasure to support Great Britain’s best home for an Olympic medal in skiing,” Lukas Scheiber, Marketing Director of Ötztal Tourismus, said.
“This principal sponsoring initiative will allow us to elevate our profile in the UK. Collaborating with such a top athlete, who is now very well known amongst ski-loving Britons, will only serve to increase our media presence in this key market.”
Ryding enjoyed a strong season on the slopes in 2017; taking second place in slalom in Kitzbühel and then leading at half time before a heart-breaking crash ended his hopes of victory at Levi.
“He is currently one of the very best and it has been quite some time since Great Britain boasted an athlete of his calibre,” Alban Scheiber, CEO of Hochgurgl cableways, said. “We’re proud to support him and to offer fantastic training possibilities. Dave is now welcome in Obergurgl-Hochgurgl as often as he likes.”
(Picture: Ötztal Tourismus)
