British Disabled Ski Team
- In: Heather Supports
The British Disabled Ski Team was formed over 20 years ago, under the care of the National Handicapped Skiing Association (NHSA).
Brits raced as far back as the first Paralympic alpine competition in Ornskoldvick, Sweden, in 1976. During these formative years Graham Peacock and his wife dedicated much time, as did NHSA members Mike and Rhona Morris to forge an internationally competitive team.
In 1992, athletes returned to Britain after competing in 1992 Winter Paralympics, in Albertville, France. The team managed to net five medals.
Building on previous Paralympic success, team members won another five medals in Lillehammer, Norway, during the 1994 Paralympics
Lack of further Paralympic success spurred on both athletes and members of the NHSA, and from this point, more effort, time and support was put into the team. Despite this commitment, when the next Paralympics came around, in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2002, only two racers were able to compete at this level, unfortunately without medal success
As time has progressed, and international racing has improved, the team has been under pressure to produce higher competitive standards
Following the merger of the NHSA and other snowsports organisations in March 2004 under the umbrella charity of Disability Snowsport UK, the team commenced with its development strategy for a more progressive management and training structure for all athletes
Turin 2006 delivered the first signs of that road to future success with athlete Sean Rose narrowly missing a medal in the Blue Ribband Downhill event
Vancouver 2010 brought GB's biggest entry and greatest success since 1996 with a team of 8 athletes and 5 top 8 positions from both the men and women of the squad. The British teams best place coming from Northern Ireland's first Alpine athlete in the Visually Impaired category and her guide Clare Robb who achieved a magnificent 4th place.
Brits raced as far back as the first Paralympic alpine competition in Ornskoldvick, Sweden, in 1976. During these formative years Graham Peacock and his wife dedicated much time, as did NHSA members Mike and Rhona Morris to forge an internationally competitive team.
In 1992, athletes returned to Britain after competing in 1992 Winter Paralympics, in Albertville, France. The team managed to net five medals.
Building on previous Paralympic success, team members won another five medals in Lillehammer, Norway, during the 1994 Paralympics
Lack of further Paralympic success spurred on both athletes and members of the NHSA, and from this point, more effort, time and support was put into the team. Despite this commitment, when the next Paralympics came around, in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2002, only two racers were able to compete at this level, unfortunately without medal success
As time has progressed, and international racing has improved, the team has been under pressure to produce higher competitive standards
Following the merger of the NHSA and other snowsports organisations in March 2004 under the umbrella charity of Disability Snowsport UK, the team commenced with its development strategy for a more progressive management and training structure for all athletes
Turin 2006 delivered the first signs of that road to future success with athlete Sean Rose narrowly missing a medal in the Blue Ribband Downhill event
Vancouver 2010 brought GB's biggest entry and greatest success since 1996 with a team of 8 athletes and 5 top 8 positions from both the men and women of the squad. The British teams best place coming from Northern Ireland's first Alpine athlete in the Visually Impaired category and her guide Clare Robb who achieved a magnificent 4th place.
All sights are now set on Sochi 2014, in Russia where a medal or two should be well within the advancing capabilities of the the team.
