Special Olympics

Great Britain welcomes returning

National Alpine Skiing Competition 2008 Winners

January 2008 - 62 learning disabled skiers from seven regions of the UK have returned from Special Olympics Great Britain’s National Alpine Skiing Competition celebrated in Pila, Italy, 14 - 18 January, 2008.

The athletes competed in three different disciplines: Super Giant Slalom, Giant Slalom and Slalom in Advanced, Intermediate and Novice levels. Each athlete was divisioned to compete at their ability level.

A grant was also awarded to the organisers to host one of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes initiatives - Fit Feet, which provided podiatry screenings free of charge to the athletes.

According to Candy Wragg, the Event Coordinator, “The welcome we had from the village was wonderful! The Opening Ceremony was spectacular with a torch lit parade descending the slopes and an amazing Laser Show. The snow conditions were excellent – fresh snow and sunshine – perfect for racing!” Wragg continued, “The athletes really showed us all how to have a great time both on and off the slopes. The racing went really well with some outstanding performances - the pride and pleasure on the skiers faces at the presentation ceremonies was very moving.”

The skiers representing the regions of Greater London, Eastern, Lothian, South East, Southern West Midlands and Wales (SEE BELOW) now qualify to be put forward for selection to the GB Team for the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise Idaho, 2-13 February 2009 www.2009worldgames.org

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 Special Olympics Regional Skiing competitions, as well as being capable of performing linked snow-plough turns.

Attending this year's National Ski Competition were volunteers from National Grid – Special Olympics GB’s new Official Partner.

Sue Hughes-Payne, National Grid Community Relations Adviser, enthused, “I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent a week in the athletes' company. There is a strong sense of community amongst the Special Olympics athletes and I feel very lucky to have been so readily welcomed into their team."

Lesley Smith, National Grid volunteer added, "The athletes amazed me with their skiing skills, dedication and enthusiasm; presenting the medals at the closing ceremony was a moving experience for me. To see the pleasure on their faces when they received the medals that they had worked so hard for, was a joy. After the closing ceremony there was a disco and to watch the athletes dancing and singing made me wish I had their energy."

The National Grid volunteers supported the National Ski Competition with PR and administrative help. Their experiences were charted on an in-house blog viewed by the nearly 20,000 employees.

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For further information or if you require photos please contact:

Jane Silverman, Special Olympics Great Britain, PR Director

janesogb@aol.com Mobile: +447900278111