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Disability Snowsport National Skiathon...

Posted: Wednesday 2nd June 2010 by Sam Francis

The flexiski team made their way to the SNO!zone in Milton Keynes on 18th May to take part in the 2010 Disability Snowsport National Skiathon. The theme of the day was based on the number 6: 6 individual teams took on the challenge of skiing or boarding 666 runs of the ski slope in 6 hours! The event was taking place at 6 indoor snow centres across the UK. All the money raised will be donated to Disability Snowsport who believe that anyone, regardless of their disability, can take part in and enjoy the thrill of skiing.

Our flexiski team consisted of Leticia, Pete, Darragh and Rosie (with over 9 ski seasons between us) in addition to Heather Mills and her best friend Ruth Matthews. Heather, having been a former swimwear model, lost her left leg below the knee in an accident with a police motorcycle in 1993. However, her disability has not deterred her and she has become a household name using her disability to bring attention to others she considers less fortunate.

With adrenaline running high, we ventured into the dome, braving temperatures of -5°C and set off down the 170m slope. After a gruelling morning we managed to fit 308 runs in total before the break for lunch. We spent an hour resting our aching limbs and enjoying a well-deserved meal before beginning the afternoon with gusto, enthusiasm and hand warmers bought by Heather!

To try and complete our target of 666 runs, we skied continuously for 3 hours straight, flat-lining it down the piste to the tunes of Heart FM who were sponsoring the day. Some other celebrities also joined in the challenge: Eddie the Eagle and Leon Taylor (the Olympic Medallist Diver) kindly donated their runs equally amongst the 6 teams. Finally 5 o’clock came and the Snowsport National Skiathon was over, much to the relief of our cold fingers and toes!

Having not seen the latest run count we did not know whether we had beaten the other teams or even smashed the 666 target. Suspense mounted throughout the prize giving before it was eventually announced that flexiski came second with 655 runs, just behind the ‘Navigation Inn’ team who managed 676 runs.

We all had a great day and more importantly raised £590 for Disability Snowsport UK. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet inspirational people who adore the freedom of skiing without letting their disability hold them back – we will definitely be taking part in next year’s challenge, but this time we will have to begin our training regime a little earlier!

Best Wishes,

Rosie x