Double delight as ParalympicsGB take super-G silver and bronze
There was double delight for ParalympicsGB’s visually impaired Para alpine skiers on day two, with two medals at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Paralympic Games.
Millie Knight and Brett Wild secured their second silver medal of the Games with a fantastic run in the super G, while Menna Fitzpatrick and Jennifer Kehoe showed their fearless attitude when they bounced back from the disappointment of not completing the downhill event on day one to win bronze.
Defending Paralympic Champion Kelly Gallagher produced a solid run with her guide Gary Smith to finish in eighth place.
A jubilant Knight said:
“If I’d thought I would have two medals in two days at the Paralympics I would have said you are crazy. This time four years ago I was sat in the crowd watching Kelly (Gallagher) win gold and now I’ve made the podium myself.”
“I can’t believe that this has happened again,” added Knight. “It’s amazing it really is. I was quite nervous in the start gate today, a little bit more so than yesterday and so to get that result is fantastic.”
An equally delighted Fitzpatrick said:
“To be honest I was just thinking about finishing and I am so happy that we have finished and it’s amazing to win a bronze medal. I came out the gate ready to fight, I was a little bit nervous but I overcame that and I just carried on and went for it.”
Their success on the slopes at the Jeongseon Alpine Centre means ParalympicsGB now has a fabulous three medals after just two days of competition.
Sochi 2014 super-G gold medallist Kelly Gallagher was reflective on her performance:
“I just need to ski like I’ve got nothing to lose and try to channel that. It didn’t quite go to plan today but what did go to plan was the feeling of enjoyment and satisfaction of pushing out of the start gate, getting into the course and working together.
“There’s three more races and we have a lot to work on. We can throw everything at it and the kitchen sink. We’ll get good results from being relaxed and chilling out.”
James Whitley finished 22nd in the men’s standing super-G and now has a day to rest before focussing on his two favourite events of slalom and combined.
Chris Lloyd was roared on by his proud family as he finished 25th in his second and final event at his first ever Paralympic Games.
Wheelchair Curling
The wheelchair curlers were hoping to build on their stunning victory over reigning World Champions Norway when they faced Switzerland in the first of two matches on Sunday. It wasn’t to be for skip Ailieen Neilson’s team though, as they were edged out 7-4 despite taking an early lead.
To keep the team on track, victory was vital against Finland in the evening match at the Gangneung Curling Centre. After a tense start which saw the teams tied 2-2 after the first three rinks ParalympicsGB pulled aware to secure an emphatic 9-2 victory.
Skip Aileen Neilson said: “It would have been nice to be at 3-0 heading into the third day but we’ll certainly take 2-1, we’re still getting used to the venues and used to the stones, you need that time to get familiar with everything so we’re very happy to take a win from that last game.
“It’s always nice to end the day with a win, it gives you time to reflect nicely heading into the evening and be ready to go again the next day in a positive frame of mind.”
The Wheelchair Curlers continue their quest to finish in the top four of the round robin competition with two matches on Monday. They are currently in joint fourth place having played three matches winning two and losing one.
The begin against a Swedish team that has yet to record a victory in PyeongChang and then in the evening match they face a strong Canadian team who have won their first three matches.
Para Nordic Skiing
After becoming Britain’s first Para Nordic skier to compete at a Paralympic Games for 20 years Scott Meenagh was back in action in the 15km cross-country.
After finishing 18th on Saturday, Meenagh bettered that result to finish 17th in his second race at PyeongChang 2018 – narrowly missing out on 16th after a sprint to the line.
It was an effort that meant the Scot collapsed on to the snow upon crossing the line and he now has a well-earned rest day to recover before competing in four more events.
Meenagh said:
“I really enjoyed that, I gave it everything. I left everything out there today I’m so tired now.”
“You inevitably get tired with so many races but I’ve been racing every race at World Cups this year so we are well practiced in our recovery strategies. This is what we are here for so we’ll race smart and recover smart.
“All the big boys came here today and to be providing credible results on that start line with such talent is great. I’m very proud to call myself a Paralympian and to consider myself among them.”
