Heather Mills

Heather takes 1st place in Austria Cup Super G

Heather Mills has won the Austria Cup Super G ski speed race.

Competing for the British disabled ski team today (February 12th), Heather (44) surprised many half her age by coming first in the event, despite skiing with a fractured shoulder and broken thumb.

"I'm absolutely over the moon," said Heather, who is aiming to compete in the Paralympics in 2014. "I'd like to thank everyone who helped and supported."

Since having her left leg amputated below the knee in 1993, Heather has battled to overcome many setbacks.  

In the last 12 months, she has had five high speed skiing accidents, all of which led to her being hospitalised.

"I fractured my left shoulder twice, snapping my anterior cruciate ligament once and smashing my scapula into five pieces," says Heather, who had to be airlifted off the slope on one occasion.

Heather only took up ski race training a year ago after being spotted on the slopes and encouraged to try out for competitive skiing.  

She raced for the British disabled ski team for the first time on January 19th 2012.  

"Not a bad achievement for someone who is 44," she says. "Most racers start when they are about four years old.  My long term aim is to go for gold in the 2014 Paralympics."