Freestyle skier Sandra Caune has been selected as flagbearer for the Closing Ceremony of the Bakuriani 2025 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival (EYOWF).
The 16-year-old was chosen not only for the two medals she’ll be taking home, but also for proving to be an outstanding ambassador for Team GB.
Caune will carry the flag into the ceremony, which is taking place at the bottom of the Bakuriani mountains, as the curtain is brought down on a record-breaking winter EYOF that saw Team GB pick up five medals – three gold and two bronze.
Seven days of competition, in which 20 Team GB athletes took to the field of play at venues across Bakuriani and Batumi, were filled with many outstanding performances, with Caune a standout.
She secured an amazing bronze medal in the slopestyle, and an even better gold in the big air event, showcasing real talent across all her events despite being largely inexperienced at this level of competition – earning praise from not only her coaches, but her competitors and everyone across the whole team.
Caune said: “This week has been unreal. There’s been ups and there’s been downs, but it’s been an incredible experience to be a part of and I’m so proud of everything I have achieved.”
“I think there’s so many other deserving athletes in the team that have achieved equally as amazing things, but that just makes me feel even more honoured to be the one that’s given the opportunity to carry the flag.”
Caune was told of her flag bearing honours by Team GB Chef de Mission Charlie Burn before an announcement was made to the wider team, who were all delighted for her.
Burn said: “The whole team have done incredibly well at the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival, and they should all be extremely proud of themselves as they’ve made Team GB history and there’s been a wide range of incredible performances – it’s proving to be a very exciting time for British winter sports.
“I'm delighted that Sandra has accepted the invitation to represent the team and lead out the British delegation at the Closing Ceremony of Bakuriani 2025. She has been exceptional throughout the Festival and has shown her brilliant talent to win medals in both of her events. However, she has also proven to mirror everything we wish for our athletes off the field-of-play and is a deeply valued team member, so all of us at Team GB are excited to see what the future holds for her in her freestyle career.
"There were so many outstanding candidates due to the team's performances and professionalism this week, but the way that Sandra has conducted herself was recognised by all of the support staff."
Also on the freestyle slopes, Emily Rothney became an EYOWF snowboard big air champion in style, while there were notable performances from twin brothers Freddy and Zak Carrick-Smith who secured gold and bronze medals for the eam in the giant slalom and slalom events.
Find out everything you need to know about Team GB’s time at Bakuriani 2025 EYOWF below.