Snow star Matt setting sights on World Cup debut

McCormick, who started boarding at Bearsden Ski Club back in 2006, currently plies his trade mostly on the Europa Cup circuit – having competed at events in countries such as the Netherlands and Switzerland over the past few months.

The 19-year-old is now looking to try his hand at the very highest level, with a World Cup debut a distinct possibility next winter.

While McCormick is looking to kick on, he is adamant he has already come on leaps and bounds over the past year – and credits finishing his studies at Bearsden Academy for the steady improvement.

“This year was my first year out of education after I finished high school so I’ve done a lot more snowboarding than I did when I was constrained by education,” said McCormick.

“I wasn’t limited with what I could do, so I’ve done a lot more travelling, been to a lot more places and spent more time on my board which is always good.

“Next year I’ll increase the number of competitions I do and hopefully I’ve got enough FIS points to be able to do a World Cup.

“In terms of competing that’s the next goal, so if I could do my first World Cup next season that would be great.

“I’ve done maybe one competition against guys who are among the best in the world and it is a bit of a shock to you.

“You expect them to be really good but competing against them is still a bit strange and quite different – you can be taken aback a bit.

“I think being exposed to high-level competition will help me get over the nerves and I can really start progressing and putting down the runs I want to put down.”

McCormick is one of five nominees for the Ski Club of Great Britain Evie Pinching award which celebrates the next generation of young and upcoming snow sport athletes considered ‘ones to watch’.

For more information and to vote for Matt McCormick in the Evie Pinching award visit www.skiclub.co.uk/eviepinchingaward.