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Milton Keynes Ski-A-Thon
UK’s First Ski-a-thon in MK!
On 12 September, at the Milton Keynes SNO!zone, the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) laid on the UK’s first ski-a-thon on real snow. It was the first time that so many GB skiers, with world status have had the opportunity to ski together. Also, it is the first time that Joe Public has had the opportunity to ski alongside eleven of the nation’s best.
Did we snap you? Check out our photo gallery here.
British Olympic skiing hero Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards was there taking part:
Participants rubbed shoulders with sports stars of the future as the British Paralympics Development Squad entered the challenge. Adaptive SnowSports MK showed off their mono-skiing equipment, which is modified for disabled skiers and they were spreading the word that life does not have to stop if you become paralysed.- here's our very own Heart Angel Chris having a go on one of their mono-skis - it was an amazing experience - very fast and a real rush - and something you can get the same experience from regardless of whether you have a disability...
Major Andrew Clarke, British Telemark Champion and captain of the GB Telemark ski team was there with seven members of his team.
“The outside world might think that Britain’s top skiers ski together all the time. This is simply not the case. We see each other at competitions, but rarely get to take off down a slope together. I am also keen to see the up-and-coming talent from the paralympic development squad, who are also taking part. It is a privilege to be part of such a historic event, in aid of a charity that has helped so many skiers,” explained Andrew.
Paul Smith, Executive Director of SIA added: “We knew that this kind of event had not been run in the UK before, so we knew it was a first. However, to have so many world-class skiers volunteering to take part in the ski-a-thon has moved everybody within SIA... alongside: Graham Bell (eight times British Ski Champion and Ski Sunday presenter), Ed Drake (British Alpine Champion), Talan Skeels-Piggins (fifth in the world for downhill sit-skiing and GB Paralympian), James Webb (GB freestyler) and now the national Telemark team.’ Wow!”
The GB Telemark team sent Andrew himself, Richard Parrott, Rachel Morgan, Sarah Hannibal, Matt Turner, Huan Davies and David Cardwell to the 12-hour ski-a-thon.
They have been hard at it, training for the World Cup which takes place in January 2010. Telemark combines and tests skiing disciplines including downhill, jumping, cross-country, freestyle and skating. It’s incredibly skilled, and, just as in triathlons, it requires a smooth transition from one challenge to another.
“This year we have been able to use the SNO!zone for training, which is the first time we have had the facilities for out-of-season training. Going to the gym is no substitute for real snow. This gives us a stronger base for pre-competition training in the winter,” explained Andrew.
Sonic the Hedgehog opened the 12-hour event by leading the skiers and snowboarders in the first leg, down the indoor slope.
See him in action in this special film (please note the date on this video is incorrect):
If you would like to take part in future ski-a-thon events, please contact Sarah on s.tennent@spinal.co.uk or call 0845 6786633 ext. 217 for more information.
If you are impressed by what you see at the ski-a-thon and would like to try out Telemark skiing, please contact telemarkclarke@btinternet.com.