SKIING
Britiains First ever World Cup GOLD medal
(Downhill, Sestriere 2010)
Double WINTER PARALYMPIAN - Turin 2006 and Vancouver 2010
5 World Cup Medals
Winter X Games - Bronze medalist
40 International Medals
7 British Titles
SKIING HISTORY
A simple fall whilst instructing a group of RAF Pilots to
Ski on the slopes of Garmisch, Bavaria (Feb 2000) changed my life
forever causing Spinal Cord damage and paralysis.!
My new set of wheels is now a wheelchair, but I was to find
freedom and independence back Skiing.!
A trip with 'The BackUp Trust' to Winter Park, Colorado
got me back on the slopes and into a sitski. Then seeing
a group of racers and joining in a local race I was hooked.!
Quit my job and moved to Canada to spent time on a race training
programme in Kimberley, BC. Competing in NORAM competitions
and learning my trade, then dominating the Canadian
Championships for a number of years.
Turin 2006 Paralympics came round early in my career and although just racing for experience I was shocked to finish only 0.5seconds off a medal in the Downhill race. Speed events were definitely my friend, I loved the sensation of speed. Now was the time to push hard and set goals for the Winter games in Vancouver 2010!
Improved Support from Sport England and lottery funding, Increased Team professionalism, allowing for extra support at key events ie Physio, Ski Technician, Assistant Coaching staff and extra training on and off snow helped.
First World Cup (Silver) medal on the board and now regularly mixing it with the Worlds elite.
I couldn't have prepared any better leading upto the biggest year of my life. Results showing the improvements in every aspect of the sport.
2010 The Winter Paralympic Year- my best and worst season combined!
Started well taking scalps in Europa Cup competitions, followed by an Historic Win with Britain's first ever World Cup Gold medal in Sestriere - Downhill. Unfortunately the next day crashing at over 70mph and badly beating myself up, no broken bones but only a few weeks of intense physio and rehab before a Team GB training camp in Winter Park, CO. My body struggling at first, training improved and we headed to the World Cup FInals in Aspen. Bronze in the SuperG and Silver in the Downhill gave me confidence and we were back on track (shame I crashed in the second Downhill race or would have won the Globe and crowned World Cup Downhill Champion? just if......)
Arriving at Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympic Games snow conditions were not great, but expectation high, favourite for the speed events and feeling good. Only a single training run on the Downhill course and midway down for no apparent reason my Ski released with my arm outstretched, I crashed badly flipping over the front and separated my shoulder (torn tissues). Injections, physio and tablets numbing the pain, I wanted to compete, but far from being in the best condition I only managed 7th in DH. Totally gutted....!! In the SuperG I posted the best split times and was flying, until the same issue raised it's head again and the ski came off (just if....)? A great race in GS and crashed 3 gates from the finish, ending with a good performance in Slalom finishing 8th. Overall a fantastic experience, an honor to carry the Closing Ceremony flag and representing my country, but really disappointing results that will stick with me forever ......
2011 A reduced race itinerary the following season, but still medalling in Europa Cup and NORAM series. The biggest event was an invite to the Winter XGames. Having watched it on TV I can only say it was an eventful and scary experience. The two minute course was frightening top to bottom but I Loved it and came home with GB's first ever male medal, Finishing 3rd in the MonoSkierX final. Also being able to hang out with Winter Sports Royalty from Ski, Snowboard and Snowmobile made it an incredible but surreal week.
2012 and time to call it a day! Invited back to do the XGames and narrowly missed out on a medal in the FInal, but what a race it was, all four of us in the air over the last jump at the same time!
2012 Finished my career where it all started in Kimberely, BC, Canada
and happy to go out Winning the SuperG and 2nd in Downhill against a
World Class field - without any training..... Happy days!
Time for new challenges....... Check out Kite Sports and Adventures!
(World Cup Gold Medal Ceremony)
