Fourth medal of the season for Rose

The IPCAS European Cup races moved to Kuhtai, Austria on 17 December for the final three days of the competition to identify Europe’s fastest sit skiers where Britain’s Sean Rose won his fourth medal this season, a bronze in the Slalom.

The previous weekend at Pitztal Sean pulled in three medals, and at Kuhtai he added to that with two fourth place finishes and then a bronze in the Slalom to it a fantastic first six races of the season for Sean and the squad.

The Slalom results for Saturday 19 December were close: Sean in third place with 1:59, Germany’s Thomas Nolt (1:58) and Martin Braxenthaler (1:56) taking second and first. There is plenty more in the bag; this was Sean’s first day of racing Slalom on his new sit ski.

“I had no idea how it would perform against the rest. It was a very strong world-class field, so I’m super excited to be up with these competitors so early in the season,” exclaimed Sean.

He was a little disappointed with his first run so went flat out to the finish on his second.

“This could have resulted in a DNF (did not finish) but it turned out to be some of the best slalom skiing I have ever done. I watched the clock while some of the world’s best completed their runs. Two crashed out and another two were not quick enough, leaving me sitting with the Germans in the top three,” commented Sean.

Those on the circuit are really talking about the GB team this year. Last August’s training in New Zealand and practising on the indoor snow slopes, fitness training, experimenting with new equipment and belief from Britain’s best managers and coaches is really paying off.

On Friday 18 December, the Giant Slalom races took place. The course was icy but Talan Skeels-Piggins finished within the top 15, but Tim Farrwas a little disappointed with his time as he is capable of going much faster and finished in 20th position. Experienced Paralympian Russell Docker was on form but lost time on a steep icy pitch costing him time which put him in 18th place. 

In the men’s Slalom Sean just missed a podium finish, coming in fourth, Tim came in 14th and Russell 18th. Talan fell but was unharmed.

“The team have done extremely well, particularly under such difficult financial circumstances. After giving everything from within them to each race they come in and spend three hours waxing their kit every evening before they can eat and rest. 

"We are doing everything we can to find funding to remove additional pressure and practical distraction so that they can focus on these races of a lifetime, especially with the Paralympics in March 2010 being just around the corner,” explained Dave Chugg, team manager of the British Disabled Ski Team.