Young Leaders Programme

I started work as an Athlete Supporter on the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust, London 2012 Young Leaders Programme, meeting the 100 Young Leaders. These 16 and 17 year olds have been chosen to take part in the scheme, to develop community volunteering projects, take part in an 18-month training programme designed to improve their communication and leadership skills.

The London 2012 Young Leaders Programme is designed to give a group of disadvantaged young people the chance to make positive change to their lives. The selected young leaders will then also have the opportunity to play a significant role in the delivery of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

I'm really excited to be involved in such an inspiring project. Also met Dame Kelly Holmes who is a real inspiration and amazing role model. I am still quite starstruck!

Onward and Upward

The Vancouver Games was the most incredible and life-changing experience of my life. I have now been back a week and am feeling the effects. The driving force behind the past two years has evaporated with the last cheers as I came through the finish. The extended build up, the pressure of the media hype surrounding the games, the desire to win, these things have made me focus resolutely, selfishly on my goal to perform. Family and friends who’d travelled miles to support, the world watching on Eurosport, on the net, from the stands, changeable weather, race schedules turned upside down, so much drama! Rain poured, fog descended, the races were run. I dealt with the pressures, skied to the best of my ability, got a good result and now it’s all over.

The Closing Ceremony Procession through the streets of Whistler was fun, I felt so proud. Now life feels somewhat empty without the adrenaline pumping through my veins. However as I return to training and work, some sense of normality trickles back in. I shall learn from a monumental experience and take from it the confidence that I have what it takes. The 2011 World Championships in Sestriere, Italy are calling and I see medals on the Russian horizon.

For now I throw myself back into training and motivational speaking at schools, events and businesses, starting with a Team Super Schools Challenge event later this month. How life has changed!

6th in the World! Vancouver Paralympics

Wow, what an experience!

The race schedule was reshuffled due to bad weather so I ended up racing earlier in the week than planned. Happily my parents managed to change flights and make it over for the giant slalom race. Disappointingly that was the race I messed up. I was lying 7th after a respectable first run, but the fog came in, the desire to win took over, I pushed it too hard in the 2nd run and ended up the wrong side of control (its a fine line)! I hiked but couldn't pull it off.

I plan to learn from the experience, and certainly showed courage and determination, but its hard not to feel bad. I have worked hard to get to such a big event.

Luckily I did a storming second slalom run and finished in 6th position. That is 6th in the world!

To see the video click on the title of this blog, go to 'latest' then:

AS S Finals sit vis Women Day2

AS Giant Slalom Women Sit 1stRun Day4 - 5min10s

Whistler Olympic Village

Team GB is in the Olympic Village! I can't believe all I've worked towards over the past three years is coming to fruition here and now. Thanks to everyone who has helped me to get here.

The village is as expected; a large dining hall open 24/7 with various types of (free) food, gym, comfy apartments, internet suites, plus a whole lot of surprising extras including games room, music room, movie room and red and white lights everywhere, on bridges and decorating trees. Paralympics GB have looked after the team fantastically so far and done everything they could to make us feel at home, although the whole experience is somewhat surreal so far!

Every time you enter the village there is the airport style security but it was worth going to see the torch bearers in Whistler village and then get mobbed for photos, its fun to feel like a celebrity but I am exhausted! The Team Welcome Ceremony was an interesting experience, watching native dancing and the Union Jack being raised to the National Anthem, a little emotional. I feel proud to be here, excited and nervous, as though it’s all a dream.

Most of the Winter Park team, who I've been training with over the past couple of years, are out here representing a number of nations. I am really glad to have done the World Champs last year not least because I now recognise quite a few alpine racers, and they're a friendly bunch.

We went up the mountain for the first time today; snow's good but it is a bit warm. We will be training GS tomorrow.

12th March: Opening Ceremony
Russ and Sean start downhill training Wednesday. Come on Team GB!
19th March: Giant Slalom
21st March: Slalom and Closing Ceremony

The events will be aired on www.paralympicsport.tv

Holding Camp, Winter Park, Colorado

I am feeling really secure and comfy in my new moulded seat and with my new leg cover, thanks to Strakka Racing and CarbonCraft.

It's great to be training with the British team again after some months apart. The snow's soft but I'm training well, maintaining strength and fitness and trying to stay focussed and calm and enjoy the whole experience. We travel up to Whistler in the beginning of March (I can't believe it!).

Crazy Media Frenzie!

I've been back at home for 3days, done three radio shows, a filming session for BBC Look East, spoken to three newspapers and Spiked Multi-sports mag and two photo shoots. I'm off to Edinburgh for the Paralympic Team Celebration and more TV interviews! It's crazy. I've no idea how David Beckham copes.

Vancuver 2010 Team GB

I've made the team for the 2010 Vancouver Paralympics! Intense training shall continue. Very excited about my first Paralympics, I'm planning to stay fit and injury free and go for gold!

I have just returned home for a couple of days before racing in the Europa Cup in Spain. It's great to see Pete, my fiance after two months apart and enjoy some downtime.