Gold for GB - Ben Clatworthy, Racing and Sports Correspondent
Tuesday February 9, 2010 - Email this article to a friend

Sean Rose won Gold in the first Downhill race in Sestriere, Italy earlier this week.

He beat 2nd Place Akira Kano of Japan by almost 1 second; a long time in ski racing.  It's the first gold medal the British Disabled Ski Team has won at World Cup level.
 
Rose reached speeds of 70 mph during the race, which is extremely fast, especially in a sit ski.
 
"The last few days of training has been amazing and put me in a great frame of mind for racing. The cloud came in causing flat light and made changes in the course difficult to see. The snow must have softened and a few competitors crashed out in the ruts. I sat at the top contemplating it all for more than an hour throughout the delays between skiers," said a delighted Rose.

"My run was fantastic until six gates from the finish, when I ran too straight and just managed to hang on as I came over the final rise. I totally over-jumped it at more than 70mph, landed and just managed to stay inside the last gate to the finish."
 
The team has been suffering financially over the past few months and therefore haven't been able to give full support to all of their racers.

However in Sestriere the team took a ski technician and physiotherapist, which benefited everyone greatly.  The picture isn't that different from the rest of British ski racing as we have reported elsewhere on PlanetSKI with the governing body, Snowsport GB, facing fiancial difficulties.
 
"My skis ran fast today which is down to having a ski technician working with us. I hope we can find a sponsor to cover his costs going forward as it is a real advantage. Hearing the National Anthem for the first time at the World Cup prize giving was a fantastic experience," he enthused.
 
We've been following Rose closely this season on PlanetSKI ahead of the Paralympic Games, which take place in Vancouver this March.

The final team selection for the games takes place in a matter of days and Rose is an almost sure name on the list.

Bookmark this page

Related Articles