Yarnold joins BBSA Board

The BBSA is delighted to announce that double Olympic Champion Lizzy Yarnold is one of two new appointments to the organisation’s Board of Directors.

Yarnold, who became the country’s most decorated Winter Olympian when winning her second Olympic crown in South Korea 20 months ago, joins Ian Richardson in completing the new Board structure ahead of the 2019/20 sliding season.

The 31-year-old’s appointment comes less than a year after she called time on a glittering 10-year skeleton career that saw her add World Championship, European Championship and overall World Cup crowns to her unique Olympic achievements.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lizzy to the Board of the BBSA,” said BBSA Chair, Joanna Poulton.

Lizzy enjoyed unparalleled success as an athlete and we are confident she can have a similar impact as a Non-Executive Director. 

“Having been a superb role model off the ice as well as on it during her skeleton career, Lizzy was recruited to the Board through open competition and she proved herself to be an outstanding candidate during that process.

“Lizzy will give an invaluable insight into the life of an international athlete and the challenges that that brings and we have no doubt that her experience, expertise and enthusiasm will be a huge benefit to the Board.”

Yarnold won Olympic gold in Sochi and again in PyeongChang

Yarnold, who will combine her duties as a Non-Executive Director with her work mentoring the younger athletes on the British Skeleton team, is looking forward to continuing to give something back to a sport which she freely admits gave her so much.

“As a recently retired athlete I'm excited to use my knowledge of Skeleton, Bobsleigh and the world of winter sports to help the Board to make more informed decisions,” said Yarnold, who won every available honour in her sport and was made an MBE and then an OBE following her Olympic triumphs.

I loved my life as an athlete, made possible by the hard work of so many. I now have an opportunity to give back, help others and continue the sports’ momentum, for which I'll do my very best.

Like Yarnold, Ian Richardson joins the Board of the BBSA with a wealth of winter sports experience behind him having been involved with bobsleigh for more than 20 years.

Ian Richardson (left) is joining Lizzy Yarnold on the BBSA Board

Ian previously served on the Board of British Bobsleigh and has also been a central figure within the BBSA’S Membership Association for the past four years.

A regular jury member on the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation circuits, Ian also continues to play a significant role within the promotion of para and youth bobsleigh at both a national and international level.

“Ian brings with a wealth of experience to the Board of the BBSA, particularly when it comes to the para and youth sections of the international bobsleigh circuit,” added Poulton, who took over as Chair of the BBSA earlier this year.

“His in-depth knowledge of our sports and his first-hand experience of working for the IBSF will be vitally import to the BBSA moving forward, as will his clear commitment and obvious determination to see our sports go from strength to strength in both the short and long term.”

The appointments of Richardson and Yarnold complete the recruitment for the BBSA Board after Kirtsy Drawer, Gareth Moore, Sorraya Sequeira, Colin Ratigan, Heather Ratnage-Black and Steve Winfield joined Poulton earlier this summer.