16 November 2012

Thank you Rotary!


I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Warwick Rotary Club who have sponsored my monoski costing £4700! Your support has enabled me to have world class equipment and will help me to represent Great Britain to the best of my ability on the international circuit and hopefully to qualify and get picked for the GB Paralympic team for the 2014 Sochi Paralympics in Russia.

This seasons' races start next Friday and Saturday in Snowworld in Landgraaf, Holland, a large indoor snowdome. After that, I will travel with the British Disabled Ski Team to Obergurgl then Pitztal, Austria and Lenk, Switzerland to compete on the Europa Cup circuit in my excellent new kit.

The pressure is on as Paralympic selection will depend on results this December, but training has been going well, I am looking forward to racing, fit and ready to race!

I would also like to thank Stratford upon Avon Rotary Club for their generous donation towards my training. I have now enjoyed speaking to the aforementioned clubs as well as Rotarua Rotary Club, New Zealand and last week I was stopped by a German Rotarian on the pistes! Thank you Rotarians for your interest and support.

Please see the following article from the Warwick Courier: http://www.warwickcourier.co.uk/news/local/anna-inspires-rotary-club-1-4314544

The British Disabled Ski Team was also in Sky Sports News on Monday, here is the link:
http://www.skysports.com/specialreport

5 November 2012

Back on Snow: TV and Training





Just got home from a British Disabled Ski Team training camp in Hintertux, Austria with former able-bodied Team GB coach, Tony McAllister. The day before we arrived, there was 40cm of fresh snow which set us up nicely for great GS and Slalom training and media training.


Sky Sports spent the first weekend filming and doing interviews for a 30 minute piece next month - thanks Anna and Lynsey!

The BBC was also out filming GB freestyle ski team so Nick Hope also did a few interviews as well as starring in our promotional video for the clubnight - more on that later.

Paralympics GB came to check out our camp for a couple of days, fortunately before the cold snap (-35C with wind chill). It was a shock to the system after such summery weather but I wrapped up well in my excellent Icebreaker base layers and boots thanks to Two Seasons, and avoided frostbite, plus the snow was exceptional so we got some great training in.

Both Elite and Development teams trained together and I'm excited about working towards Sochi 2014 with Coach Tony.

Click on title to read article

I flew home Thursday evening to work at the Ski Show on Friday, selling raffle tickets for the Lady's Ski Club, who support female ski racers, and promoting the British Disabled Ski Team Send Off fundraiser at Aura, Mayfair friday night, which was a riot and raised over £2000 - all team goals achieved (have fun, get publicity, hotties, raise £2k for the team). A pretty successful start to the season.

My next trip is to the biggest indoor slope in Europe, Snow World in Landgraaf, Holland, for training and races and then the Europa Cup begins in December.

29 September 2012

Summer Team Training for Sochi 2014


Two weeks great training with the British Disabled Ski Team in Hintertux Glacier, Austria in August reaffirmed my motivation for ski racing!

It was warm and as you can see, the snow was poor, but we got good technique training in and we did lots of dry land training.

Many thanks to Hiro Taniguchi for world class coaching and expertise, I am skiing better than ever and can’t wait to race this winter - it's a big one!

I'm looking forward to working with Hiro and head coach, Tony McAllister in Hintertux in October.

This unheated pool was colder than it looks - I believe I hold the record - 15 minutes of the coldest lengths of my life!

World Cup, Europa Cup and Development Squads trained alongside and it was good to see some real potential and drive in the newer skiers.

Love the new Adidas team kit!

We were looked after superbly at the Hotel Koessler and are looking forward to going back in October.


2 May 2012

Paralysed Eventer Finishes Walking the London Marathon for Spinal Research!

Latest update: Claire has just finished! 16 days after starting the marathon with thousands of racers, Claire Lomas has made it, on crutches and robotic suit. Well done!

Thank you to everybody who has supported Claire’s courageous journey; thank you, well done and stick at it Claire!

Please support Claire on http://www.justgiving.com/Claire-Lomas - every donation helps!

Visit www.get-claire-walking.co.uk for more info and updates and follow her on twitter @claire80lomas


Even the incessant April showers cannot stop Claire Lomas, spinally injured eventer, on her quest to walk the London Marathon and raise funds for Spinal Research. Claire became paralysed from the chest down (T4) in 2007 as the result of a horse riding accident but this hasn't stopped her.

Claire uses a robotic suit, which enables her to stand up and walk. This intrepid woman has gone from taking her first steps since the accident only three months ago, to attempting the marathon! It has taken her nine days to cover the first 15 grueling miles and she is still smiling.

Claire has already raised over £86,000 for Spinal Research!

My husband and I had the pleasure of covering some of the ground with Claire on Monday as she crossed Wapping. I strapped my legs into calipers and tried to keep up with Claire but was soon exhausted, not to mention nervous, walking outdoors on an uneven surface, amidst London’s hustle and bustle. I could only manage 50 yards (the furthest I’ve ever walked outdoors).
To see video click here: http://youtu.be/O8gOkV9jEtE

Apparently overtaking me made Claire’s day, which made the drive from Warwick well worth it. We loved meeting Claire and offering moral support. Attempting to walk alongside Claire brought home quite how tough her challenge really is.

This is a physically and mentally demanding mission. Using crutches, Claire has to take a lot of pressure through her shoulders, arms and hands. On the first day she covered an exhausting 2.25 miles; imagine being in her (robot) shoes and contemplating the remaining 24 miles, knowing that most of the other competitors had finished and gone home!

Claire said “During my time in hospital I saw many people who had had their lives turned upside down - some who are unable to breath without the use of a ventilator. I have been very lucky to have a lot of support from family and friends helping me deal with this catastrophic injury- some don't have this support.

“Spinal cord injuries doesn't just mean you can't walk any more, but can also effect sensation, bowel and bladder function, circulation, temperature regulation, sexual function, bone density… A spinal injury can happen to anyone at anytime in a split second - a cure must be found!”

Claire is doing a brilliant job raising money and awareness of Spinal Cord Injury, which affects the lives of millions everyday. Claire is a hugely determined and gutsy woman, undertaking a remarkable feat for a great cause.

In quite an uncharacteristic way, much of the London traffic stopped to donate and find out more, including the London Fire Service who even posed for some photos!


4 April 2012

Best Results Yet in Preparation for 2014 Sochi Paralympics


9th in the World and 4th in Europe is a nice way to finish my 4th season! I won 10 medals overall in Europe this year.

The team has been working with new coaches from Canada, Rip Pridday and Sue Greenberg and I've made huge progress, particularly in Super G.

"It is great to see how comfortable Anna is at speed... We're impressed and definitely see her as a medal contender for Sochi 2014"
Sue Greenberg, GB coach.

I took Silver and Bronze medals in the Europa Cup Finals in Auron, France in Super G and finished closer than ever before behind the World Champion in Giant Slalom, winning bronze.

Great Britain finished 8th in the 2012 European Rankings.

The best thing about this season was qualifying for World Cups in Super G, Downhill and Super Combined! My World Ranking is now 9th in Super G.


My good results are thanks to hard work with the new coaches and great training in Serre Chevalier, France, where I'm supported by the Hotel Plein Sud.

It has certainly been my most successful and enjoyable season yet! I'll be training hard this summer in preparation for racing in next year's World Cup Circuit, and aiming to qualify for the 2014 Sochi Paralympics.

11 March 2012

Excellent Training in Serre Chevalier


I am currently preparing for the Europa Cup finals which is to be held the last week of March in Auron, France.

We have good conditions and training with Serre Chevalier Alpine Race Club, one of the top clubs in France, is fantastic! The youth racers are a great inspiration and I can already see my progress.

A huge thank you to the Hotel Plein Sud for sponsoring me, staying there is perfect and their support is hugely appreciated. I love training in Serre Chevalier!

Click on title to go to the Plein Sud website.

17 February 2012

Rose and Crown raises £1300 for Anna's Paralympic Ski Equipment

The Rose and Crown is ace, I can't believe we raised £1300 towards my new monoski, we are nearly a third the way towards raising the £4500 it costs.

Last weekend's Fundraising Sunday Roast was a huge success. Thanks so much to Jez, Jonathon and the Rose team, and to everyone who came including Warwick's mayor, Trudy...

local MP Chris White

Jackie and Bryan from Advocacy Matters Charity (for whom I'm proud to be patron)

and friends and family who came from as far away as Brighton!
I really appreciate your support, without which I wouldn't have won the medals or raced in the Paralympics. The new monoski will really help my skiing and I cannot wait to order it, only just over £3000 more needed...!

The Rose chef made a beautiful Valentine's cake to raffle, and great prizes were generously donated for the silent auction including a flight over Warwick in a two seater plane, Warwick Castle tickets and Spanish lunch at Catalan.

Everyone had a ski hat to wear for Jez and Jonathon's games...

and Auntie Norma won a Diva Hair Voucher (thanks Diva!)





The Rose's renowned Roast dinner was enjoyed by all!

Manager Jez and Chris White talked about the fundraising plans with the Rose and making connections with companies and people in Warwick. I talked about my path to gold in the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympics and how sponsors and support from friends and family have helped me achieve great results so far.

Good food and drink was followed with a fab performance from the band, a huge thank you to all involved!

First Live TV Interview!


My husband and I featured on ITV's Lorraine Show yesterday!!!

Being live on National TV was exciting and Pete represented Serre Chevalier, France, where I train but I didn't get a chance to mention recent medals I've won or my website. So much to say, so little time!

ITV's Daybreak also wanted us but that'll be another day. This week I also featured on Channel 5 News, filmed at my sponsors Solihull David Lloyd gym - click on title to watch it as well as articles in the Daily Mail, Birmingham Mail, Coventry Telegrapgh, Stratford Herald and Warwick Courier!



I'm hoping the publicity will attract interest. My hard work training has payed off with great results (7 medals in Europe and World Cups qualification so far this year). Sadly I can't afford to race in World Cups as I get no funding and have to raise the annual £20,000 myself to continue representing GB.

I do Motivational Speaking and Workshops as well as youth work and talks in schools. If you are interested in sponsorship or speaking opportunities, please contact me through www.annaturney.com

2 February 2012

The Rose and Crown helps fundraise for Warwick’s local Paralympic Ski Racer

The Rose and Crown is putting on a Fundraising Sunday Roast on 12th February to help cover the cost of Anna’s training and racing which amounts to approximately £20,000 per year as well as trying to fund a new monoski costing over £4000.

So far this season, Anna has won four Europa Cup bronze medals, competing in Slalom and Giant Slalom. She recently became qualified to compete in World Cups (the highest level). Due to lack of funding, she won't compete in World Cups this year but will train in France instead and compete in the Europa Cup Finals in March.

So join us for a dinner to help raise funds to support Anna!

Ticket Only.
£20 a ticket, for Sunday Roast and Pudding. Speak to Jonathan or Angela to book: 01926 411117
See http://www.roseandcrownwarwick.co.uk/NewsEvents.asp for more info.

Or to make a donation, go to http://annaturney.com/annaFundraising.htm

20 January 2012

Winning Silver & Training in Serre Chevalier




Solution Graphics


Having won 4 bronze Europa Cup medals so far this season, I won silver yesterday in the IPCAS Super G race, behind Germany and bronze in the next race in Abtenau, Austria. I am really pleased and progressing towards gold in Sochi 2014!

The weather is warm and wet and today's Giant Slalom race was cancelled but we are hoping that it will run tomorrow, followed by two Europa Cup Slalom races.



This season I am based mostly in Serre Chevalier, France for training and head back there next week. The Hotel Plein Sud sponsors me and it is a perfect base for training. The atmosphere in the Plein Sud is second to none, the food is delicious, location ideal, there is a swimming pool, stunning views, friendly bar and I feel really well looked after, it is like home from home. Click on the title to see the website.

I will join the team for Europa Cup Downhill and Super G races in Tignes from 7th to 9th Feb... I'm really excited to be racing Downhill in Europe and with some training on the Luc Alphond in Serre Che I should be well prepared, watch this space!

8 January 2012

I'm World Cup Qualified!




The ski season has started well. In my first race in Pitztal, Austria, I finished 0.9sec off gold in Super G, winning a bronze medal and qualifying to race in World Cups (the top level).

So far I have won 4 bronze Europa Cup medals in Slalom and GS.

We spent the last week training in Serre Chevalier, and are now headed to Sestriere, Italy for Europa Cup races.

What I really mean is:

"Wow, sooo excited... can't wait for my first World Cup Race in La Molina, Spain on 31st January, bring it on!"