NEWS
Dougie Crawford Takes Time out of Ski Racing
“After a lot of thinking and soul searching I have decided that I need to take some time out from being a ski racer.
The last few years have been mentally very difficult for me, I gave my absolute all to make it to the Sochi Olympics (and Vancouver four years before) and I didn’t make it. In 2010 I was so close on several occasions and again in 2014 despite incredibly tough criteria. I’m proud I got so close despite the lack of support, but it has been really hard.
It’s been very difficult to secure funding, organise a programme, equipment, and transport and then train hard to get in good enough shape to ski at my best.
Mentally I am exhausted. I’m worn out.
My passion to be a ski racer and to continue to fight hard to make things happen has been eroded and because of that I know I can’t ski with absolute commitment this season. Without absolute commitment I can’t perform close to my best and so won’t achieve what I want to achieve or enjoy my racing as much as I could.
I think taking a break, doing something a bit different and skiing for fun could re-ignite my passion and I will return ready to give my all once more, take risks, charge hard and compete at the top level. I will be training and getting physically stronger so that when mentally I am ready to come back to skiing I will be in top condition and ready to move up the rankings again. I don’t know how long it will take to get myself back in the right place to compete but I need to give myself the chance to get there.
I would like to thank again all my sponsors and supporters who have helped me to get to the start line and perform as best I could over the last few years. It has meant so much to me that people have supported me and allowed me to chase my dreams. I’m sorry I haven’t managed to achieve what I had hoped.”
Dougie
Dougie has been a fantastic competitor in Alpine Ski racing since he first burst onto the scene in 2002.
His best FIS points are unmatched by any male ski racer past or present. He has truly great talent across all the disciplines with under 20 points in Slalom, Super G and Downhill.
Downhill 12.04
Super G 18.89
Giant Slalom 20.38
Slalom 19.01
Super Combi 24.81
Such a low average across the disciplines is unprecedented and may never be achieved again by a British man.
He was 21st in the 2009 World Championships Downhill aged only 21.
His performances At the British Championships are remarkable:- one Children’s Championship, six Under 18 Championships, four Under 21 Championships and a remarkable 12 Senior Championships.
He is undoubtedly among the greats of British Alpine Ski Racing.
Despite these achievements he was controversially not selected for either the Vancouver or the Sochi Olympics (where he would have started in the Top 30 in the Downhill).
Despite these setbacks he has always been a fantastic ambassador for our sport and an inspiration to younger skiers. We wish him well in his “sabbatical” and hope to see him back racing in the near future.
List of British Championships
- 2002 British Children’s Slalom Champion
- 2004 British Under 18 Downhill Champion
- 2004 Under 21 at British Senior Super-G Champion
- 2004 British Under 18 Giant Slalom Champion
- 2004 British Under 18 Slalom Champion
- 2005 British Junior (under 21) Giant Slalom Champion
- 2005 British Under 18 Downhill Champion
- 2005 British Under 18 Slalom Champion
- 2005 British Under 18 Combined Champion
- 2005 British Junior (under 21) Giant Slalom Champion
- 2006 British Junior (under 21) Super-G Champion
- 2007 British Overall Senior Champion
- 2007 British Senior Super-G Champion
- 2007 British Junior Slalom Champion
- 2009 British Senior Super Combined Champion
- 2010 British Overall Senior Champion
- 2010 British Senior Downhill Champion
- 2010 British Senior Super-G Champion
- 2010 British Senior Giant Slalom Champion
- 2010 British Senior Super Combined Champion
- 2013 British Overall Senior Champion
- 2013 British Senior Downhill Champion
- 2013 British Senior Super-G Champion
- 2013 British Senior Super Combined Champion
- 2014 British Overall Senior Champion
- 2014 British Senior Downhill Champion
- 2014 British Senior Super-G Champion
- 2014 British Senior Super Combined Champion
· 2007 British Junior Downhill Champion