Let the Paralympic games begin - Ben Clatworthy, Racing and Sports Correspondent
Monday March 15, 2010 - Email this article to a friend

There's alpine skiing, biathlon, cross country skiing, ice sledge hockey and wheelchair curling with different categories depending on the athlete's disability.

Great Britain's biggest medal hope is Sean Rose who has performed consistently well this year in both the Europa and World Cup for Paralympic skiing.

He won gold in January as we reported here.

"When people see these Paralympians coming down the downhill at 130 km/h and see the speed and bodychecks in sledge hockey it will be a real eye opener," said Canadian Paralympic Committee high-performance director, Rob Needham.

Last month the official Paralympic ski team for the Vancouver games was announced; it includes six mono-skiers and one visually impaired skier. 

Three times paralympian Russell Docker, double paralympian Sean Rose and newcomers Tim Farr, Kelly Gallagher, Talan Skeels-Piggins, Jane Sowerby and Anna Turney have all been named as team members.

Wheelchair curling will take place at Vancouver Paralympic Centre, formerly the Vancouver Olympic Center. 

Ice sledge hockey will be held at UBC Thunderbird Arena. 

Alpine skiing will occur at Whistler Creekside, and biathlon and cross-country skiing will take place at Whistler Paralympic Park.

It's been a big season for disabled winter sports with many highlights, including the announcement that the team has gained more funding ahead of the games from the charity 'Get Kids Going!' and from the 'Talented Athletes Scholarship Scheme'.

"I am absolutely delighted that Get Kids Going! have become partial sponsors of the British Disabled Ski Team at this vital time.  I send my best wishes to the team for all the success in Canada," said Lord Sebastian Coe, the president of Get Kids Going!

Tickets for the games may be slightly cheaper than for the main Olympics, however they are selling just as fast. 

Many Canadian locals who didn't dare venture up to the Olympics are expected to attend the smaller more friendly Paralympics.

However as fast the as the games get underway the weather has already been hampering the action, as we have reported here in the main news section of the web site.

We will let you know how our British athletes get on in Vancouver and we wish them the best of luck.

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