UK Freeski Awards Winners Announced

The First UK Freeski Awards Winners Announced

24 October 2006 – Thursday 19th October saw the first UK Freeski Awards ceremony take place at the Metro Ski & Snowboard Show in London. A large crowd swarmed around the stage, eager to hear who the winners of the highly anticipated awards would be.

Ed Leigh oversaw the proceedings and introduced each guest presenter who, in turn, announced the nominees for each award and the eventual the winner. The field of nominees boasted the cream of home-grown talent and showcased the great improvements that have been made in UK Freeskiing.

Rapturous applause greeted each winner as they took to the stage for their acceptance speech. Arguably the two most coveted awards – the Salomon Award for the Best UK Female Freeskier and the Ski Club of Great Britain Award for the Best UK Male Freeskier – held the crowd in suspense before the winners, Naomi Edmondson and Paddy Graham, were announced.

The undisputed star of the ceremony was Paddy Graham who picked up no less than 3 awards: the Ski Club of Great Britain Award for the Best UK Male Freeskier, the Disciple Gloves Award for Best Rider Segment in a Film and the Freeski Britain Award for Best UK Freeski Team as part of the Line team.

The final award of the night was a special one: The Natives.co.uk Rich Taylor Memorial Award. The award itself acts as a ‘services to UK Freeskiing’ but also stands as a tribute to the memory of Richard Taylor, the British Big Air champion who tragically died in a training accident two years ago, aged just 23 years.

Richard’s Mother, Gaynor Taylor, was on hand to present the award and gave a heart-felt speech that left no dry eye in the room. Warren Smith was announced the winner and upon accepting the award was quick to pull fellow nominee Pat Sharples up on the stage to jointly share the award and highlight the hard work they have both put into skiing. The gesture was met with huge applause and reaffirmed the spirit and camaraderie of the UK Freeski Awards.

With the first UK Freeski Awards ceremony over, the action moved to the Shepherd’s Bar for the Dark Summer Ski Show Party and the premiere of the Ellis Brigham movie, Aggressive Alpine Skiing.

Over 5,000 votes were cast on the UK Freeski Awards website (www.ukfreeskiawards.co.uk) to decide the winners, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank every person who took the time to vote.

The UK Freeski Awards would not be possible without the help of our sponsors: K2 Skis, Salomon, Adidas Eyewear, Ski Club of Great Britain, Oakley, Natives.co.uk, Da Kine, Zag Skis, Freeski Britain, and Disciple Gloves.

All photos © Rick Hutchings (www.rickhutchings.com)

Naomi accepts her Best Female award from Eric Davies of Salomon.



Rob Taylor salutes his brother, Rich Taylor, who helped him get into skiing.


Paddy makes his Best Male speech with Ed Leigh, Fiona Sweetman (Ski Club of Great Britain) and Betony Garner (Ski Club of Great Britain).


Warren pulls Pat Sharples onto the stage to share the award (joined by Gaynor Taylor and Ed Leigh).

Winners of the UK Freeski Awards 2006

Freeski Britain Award for the Best UK Freeski Team
Line Skis

Adidas Eyewear Award for the Best UK Freeski Event
Verbier Ride 2005

Da Kine Award for the Best UK Ski Film
try.fail.try (Regime Change Productions)

Disciple Gloves Award for the Best UK Rider Segment in a Film
Paddy Graham in try.fail.try

Zag Skis Awards for the Best UK Freeski Photographer
Melody Sky

Oakley Award for the Best UK Under 16 Freeskier
Murray Buchan

K2 Skis Award for the Best UK Unsponsored Freeskier
Rob Taylor

Salomon Award for the Best UK Female Freeskier
Naomi Edmondson

Ski Club of Great Britain Award for the Best UK Male Freeskier
Paddy Graham

Natives.co.uk Rich Taylor Memorial Award
Warren Smith