Four athletes from Dumfries & Galloway Disability Sport are heading to Crans Montana, Switzerland to take part in the 2020 Special Olympics GB National Alpine Skiing Championships from 1st – 8th February 2020
The team of 4 skiers will be accompanied by 3 coaches and they will compete for the first time in a Special Olympics Winter Games. The athletes have been training hard on the dry ski slope in Carlisle, having only started skiing November 2018. The progress of the group has been significant in a short time with them competing in their first competition in June and they are now ready to take the next step and compete in the slalom, giant slalom and super G events at the GB championships in Switzerland next week.
The Dumfries & Galloway Special Olympics Team have raised over £10,000 for their trip to Switzerland and would like to thank everyone who has donated to their cause, however large or small.
The Special Olympics GB National Alpine Skiing event takes place every four years and is one of the highlights and biggest events in the Special Olympics GB calendar. This is the first time Special Olympics GB’s winter event has ever competed at the beautiful Swiss resort. Ninety athletes from across ten clubs in England, Scotland and Wales will compete over the course of three days with their first day on the slopes being all about classification. The three main races and levels being run are Slalom (Novice, Intermediate and Advanced); Giant Slalom (Novice, Intermediate and Advanced) and Super G (Intermediate and Advanced). An opening and closing ceremony at the start and end of the event will celebrate the week’s competition and athlete’s participation.
Quotes from the athletes: –
Ryan Powell, age 13 from Dalbeattie – Novice skier – Ryan is visually impaired and skies with a guide in front of him. – “I’m very excited and a wee bit nervous, I’m really looking forward to skiing on a mountain for the time and to meeting new skiing friends”.
Hayden Keir, age 19 from Annan – Novice skier– Hayden started skiing last year and is this first time competing. “I’m very excited to have the opportunity to take part in these games. It’s a good chance to meet new people and make new friends and of course I love to travel so visiting Switzerland is a real bonus”
Lennon Hughes, age 19 from New Abbey – Novice skier – Lennon started skiing last year and this is his first time competing. “I’m nervous and excited, I can’t wait to see the mountains and all the snow and really proud to be on the first ever Dumfries & Galloway team to go to a winter games and want to try the Swiss chocolate”.
Sam Pattinson, age 28 from Rigg, Gretna – Intermediate skier– Sam ski’s regularly with his family on skiing holidays. “I can’t wait to go, looking forward to meeting other teams and making new friends and enjoying myself
Laura Vickers, Disability Development Officer with Dumfries & Galloway Council is the Team Manager and she added “Team D&G are very excited about our trip to the Special Olympics GB National Alpine Skiing event in Switzerland, following months of hard work and preparation for the competition. I am sure they will all be great ambassadors for Dumfries & Galloway and come back with an array of medals and ribbons. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported our team and also our team of coaches and volunteers from Carlisle Snowsports who have helped prepare the athletes for this spectacular event.”
