Snowsport England would like to say congratulations to a delegation of 73 skiers with learning disabilities and 59 coaches and volunteers returned this weekend from Special Olympics Great Britain’s National Alpine Ski Championships in Pila, Italy, 15-22 January 2012.
The regional squads, made up of five skiers from Scotland, seven skiers from Wales and 61 from all corners of England, skied their hearts out in near perfect conditions, competing for medals as well as the chance to represent Great Britain at Special Olympics World Winter Games in Pyeong Chang, South Korea, one year from this week, 26 January - 6 February 2013. One hundred nations will participate with 2800 athletes with learning disabilities.
The week kicked off with a spectacular laser-lit Opening Ceremony and a torch-light parade. 73 skiers snaked down the mountain behind giant snowflakes naming each of their regions, with Grampian instructors in full kilt. The excitement increased as three members of the local Polizia skied down through the darkness and presented the Flame of Hope to West Midlands skier George Brunt to officially open the national championships. Everyone cheered as former Olympic skier Graham Bell raced down the mountain at top speed with the Special Olympics GB flag billowing behind him and delivered a passionate and inspiring welcome to the competitors. Scotland’s Calum Jeffray came from London to cheer on his sister Claire and pipe the athletes down the mountain but it was so cold his Bagpipes froze!
Cathy Hastings from Surbiton arrived in time to watch her son Scott compete at his first national championships and was clearly moved by the Opening Ceremony, she enthused: “It was amazing and emotional and more than I ever expected. The highlight was seeing the athlete’s parade. I cried. Scott cried. There were tears of joy and misty eyes from so many of us there. It was brilliant.” Hastings was one of the nearly 30 family members on hand to to cheer-on the athletes.
The competition started off with divisioning so each skier would fairly compete at his or her own ability level. After months of training they were all ready to attack the course in Super Giant Slalom, Giant Slalom and Slalom in Advanced, Intermediate and Novice levels. To be eligible to participate in this competition, athletes must have a learning disability (IQ below of 75), be at least 8 years old and have competed at a Special Olympics Regional Skiing competition.
The first medal of the Competition went to Stefan Nakoneczny, 21, of Twickenham, who won 2 Gold and a Bronze in his division. The youngest skier participating was 13 year old David Corr from Chorley, Lancashire who missed a gate in his first race but with his mum cheering him on rallied to bring home 2 Bronze medals. He is on his way to have as many medals as his brother Chris who is under-16 national champion with the All-England Dry Slope Squad.
The oldest skier, 44 year old Jonathan Frett of New Malden has 2 Silver and 1 Bronze medal to add to his collection. Frett participated at the last Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise Idaho in 2009. This was the only the second time Scott Hastings, 20, had competed on real snow, returning home with a hat trick of 1 Gold, 1 Silver, and 1 Bronze medal. Remarked his mother Cathy, “It was incredible… I couldn’t believe how much support and encouragement the skiers received from all the coaches, course volunteers and their fellow athletes irrespective of what team they were representing.”
The team was joined by five time Olympic skier, eight-time British Champion and BBC TV presenter Graham Bell (Ski Sunday and High Altitude), a Special Olympics GB Ambassador since 2009. Bell flew in to Pila to inspire and be inspired by the athletes,
"The snow conditions in Pila were perfect: cold dry and grippy that did not rut-up at all for the racers. So we had a fair track for all the starters. I was really impressed by everyone’s determination to try their hardest. Chemmy Alcott would be surprised how many of them used her as motivation! I watched most of the athletes and had a chance to ski with a couple of the groups. One young racer, Hannah [Dempsey of Bromley ] told me that she had constructed a whole fantasy world where she got to ski as a Bond Girl and that me skiing with her was like living her fantasy. Very humbling indeed."
Chemmy Alcott, Olympic and six-time British National Champion Skier commented, “I never got into the sport to inspire people but it is a fantastic reward for all the hard work I have put in. I don't want fellow racers to desire to be as good as me; I want them to push themselves to be the best in the WORLD. It is so great to see our Special Olympics' skiers doing so well! And those chosen for the World Winter Games, representing your country is one of the biggest honours so massive congratulations from me to the whole team.”
Joining the skiers in Pila was a team of dedicated volunteers who did everything from manning the course, driving vans, blogging and taking photos. Hazel Clark from Special Olympics GB Premier Partner National Grid helped as both photographer and blogger for the National Grid intranet, and supported the daily medal presentations. CMS Cameron McKenna managing partner Duncan Weston of Kingston was on hand to present medals and ski with athletes and families of the legal and tax firm’s chosen charity. He was swept up in the moment on the last day when he joined-in to link hands in the air and sing, “We Are the Champions.”
It was an emotional week of competition and as the results were announced for each division, the athletes let out huge cheers and rapturous applause – there were tears of joy and some of disappointment but as always great camaraderie amongst the athletes as they so generously share each other’s successes.
Blog: http://specialolympicsgbnatski2012.wordpress.com/
Photos: www.flickr.com/specialolympicsgb
http://specialolympicsgbnatski2012.wordpress.com/
