Ed Leigh, who is currently commentating on the Winter Olympics in South Korea and Jenny Jones, the first Briton to win an Olympic medal in snowsports at Sochi in 2014, appeared in a video filmed on location at the games currently taking place in Pyeongchang. The clip was posted on the Facebook page of local photographer Natalie Mayer.
UK consultants are currently developing plans for a new facility in the Island and a dedicated working group has been set up.
In the video snowboarder Ms Jones said that a skatepark could bring ‘so much’ to Jersey.
Meanwhile, Mr Leigh spoke of how skateboarding was due to appear in the line-up for the Olympics in 2020.
‘If you have a really solid facility in Jersey, in two years’ time when the Olympics happen then all of the kids who get inspired by the sport are going to have a facility they can go straight to,’ he said. ‘Jenny and I know first-hand after she won her bronze medal in 2014 the snow domes and dry slopes filled up so if you have got a facility that does not actually cost that much for any child to take part in, the equipment is the sole cost it is very cheap and it gets them active, off [electric] devices and out of the house.’
Ms Mayer, a former national snowboarding photographer, said that the pair recorded the video after she told them of local skateboarders’ frustration at not having a facility.
‘With the Olympic games coming up in 2020, Jersey needs a good, aspirational facility which allows its local athletes to progress,’ she said.
