Quinn Estates Steps Up To Help UK’s Top Skiing Talent Jump The Funding Gap
Quinn Estates’ managing director, Mark Quinn, is giving back to the sport where he first made his name, agreeing sponsorship deals for World Cup alpine ski-star Dave Ryding and two of the UK’s brightest future prospects.
Mark Quinn skied for the national team, going on to race on the international ski race circuit, before switching to pursue a career in ski coaching, becoming the youngest top qualified ski instructor and trainer in Britain. He retired, aged 24, to realise an ambition to set up his own business in property development.
Twenty years since building Quinn Estates from scratch into one of the South East’s most successful property development companies, Mark continues to do all he can to support the sport that first made his name.
In addition to sponsoring Dave Ryding, Mark has also agreed sponsorship packages for British alpine skier, Alex Tilley, and Para Alpine Downhill Champion, Millie Knight.
These sponsorship packages will provide the three athletes with the means to buy equipment, fund travel and contributing to the team expenses, amongst other expenditures.
Mark said: “I am passionate about sport - skiing in particular. As a former skier on the national team, I recognise the value of sport and am now in a fortunate enough position where I can support through sponsorship. There is a lack of funding around many British winter sports, which can cause a huge added stress to our athletes. I’m hoping that our sponsorship will allow these three to focus wholly on their training, so they can expect the best possible results.
“Dave, Alex and Millie all represent what is great about the sport. Like so many of our sporting heroes, they depend on financial backing – and getting that backing can be just as competitive as being out on the slopes going for a place on the podium. I am proud to back all three athletes and Quinn Estates look forward to continuing our relationship with each one as their career continues to grow from strength to strength. We wish them the best of luck for the season ahead.”
Dave Ryding, the self-styled ‘Rocket of the Piste’ from Lancashire, was introduced to the slopes at six years old. By the age of eight he was whizzing down the slopes at the French Alps resort of Samoens. It didn’t take long for his talent to get noticed - including selection for the England Ski Team and a place in the England and British Championships. In 2006 he became British Junior Champion.
To date, he has competed in two Olympics, four World Championships, and won the Europa Cup. His best World Cup result is a runner-up in the slalom in Kitzbühel, his sole podium.
Dave Ryding said: “When Mark got in touch, he explained that he used to ski at a high level so I guess it’s in his blood. He wanted to come onboard with a sponsorship that would make things better for me, so I could invest more in my training. The first thing his funding contributed towards was ensuring my gym equipment was completely up to scratch. I was also paying a considerable sum towards the team, so that’s immediately taken a huge pressure off to find that money.”
“It’s great to have someone like Mark onboard, who’s fanatical about skiing and obviously made a very good career for himself. To have someone like that behind you really is an honour. It gives you more motivation that people believe in you, that they’re proud of what you’re achieving and want to help you go forward - I’m very fortunate.
“Last year, I achieved my childhood dream of being ranked in the top 30. Since then, I’ve gone on to be ranked in the top 10. Now, I don’t set myself any limits anymore. The Olympics are in February, so that’s always going to be a highlight of the season but, generally, I take each race as its comes and just want to keep improving. Let’s see where that takes me!”
Quinn Estates have also recently been involved with The Telegraph Ski & Snowboard Show, where they hosted a Q&A for Millie Knight, along with her sight guide, Brett Wild.
Millie said: “I think our sponsors generally know how hard we work but I think Mark, with his background in skiing, has an even better understanding of the dedication – and financial costs - that it takes to train competitively. None of what we do would be possible without our sponsors and it’s people like Mark Quinn who help to us achieve what we achieve.”
Likewise, in their property development, Quinn Estates have set the template for delivering regeneration projects with sports and community at its heart. Their latest project, the Herne Bay Sports Hub, is an exciting new complex that will provide a new base for local football, hockey, tennis and cricket teams as part of a multi-million-pound investment by the coastal Kent town.
