{"id":6211,"date":"2022-03-31T12:23:28","date_gmt":"2022-03-31T12:23:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ukafwsa.org\/?page_id=6211"},"modified":"2023-12-13T10:57:49","modified_gmt":"2023-12-13T10:57:49","slug":"armed-forces-para-snowsport-team-2022-season","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ukafwsa.org\/disciplines\/armed-forces-para-snowsport-team-2022-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Para Snow Sports"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”thin” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_spacing=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Supporting the recovery of our wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans through the restorative power of competitive Snowsports<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]https:\/\/m.youtube.com\/watch?v=hHnjmoeBEIw&pp=ygUFQWZwc3Q%3D<\/p>\n

Armed Forces Para Snowsports Team 2022\/2023 Season Review – by Elizabeth Burgess<\/strong><\/p>\n

Competition is at Our Core<\/strong><\/p>\n

In September 2022 we held a Newcomers Event in Castleford to welcome potential beneficiaries to the team. The day was a roaring success, with the chance to strengthen old friendships and make new ones both on and off the slopes. After lockdown, the ability to meet face to face and get back onto the snow was a liberating experience. A two-day race in Castleford in October was followed by a further two-day race event in November, to ready the team for the year ahead.<\/p>\n

Since the New Year we were then pretty busy with a Snowboard Team participating at the Royal Navy Ski & Snowboard Championships in Tignes, our Alpine Team attending the Divisional Championships and Army Championships in Serre Chevalier, our nordic team descending on France for a training camp, and we had AFPST Athletes competing at the British and Inter Service Telemark Championships AFPST Telemark<\/a><\/p>\n

World Class AFPST Athletes<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last season, we had six athletes take part in the Beijing Paralympic and as we have launched into the start of the next cycle we have a number of Athletes on the pathway programmes with real potential for the Paralympics in 2026. Also Shona Brownlee, Alex Slegg, Scott Meenagh and Steve Arnold remain on World\u00a0 Class programmes, although sadly all UK Sport funding was removed from the Para Nordic Programme despite Scott’s 6th place finish at the Paralympics! But hey we like a challenge and proving what is possible as we dare to dream.<\/p>\n

This dream certainly came true for Scott Meenagh at the World Para Nordic Championships in January 2023 when he secured the first ever medal for Biathlon, taking home Silver in the 12.5km Biathlon. We were so proud of Scott and the Teams journey, we are hoping this might be enough to secure some future funding.[\/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”7335″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_column_text]\n

World Marathon Challenge 777!<\/strong>
\nFor AFPST Athlete Darren Edwards kayaking from Lands\u2019 End to John O\u2019Groats last year that took 26 days, spanned 1400 kms and raised a tremendous \u00a3100,000 wasn’t enough; so January 2023 we saw him take on\u00a0the World Marathon Challenge. Seven Marathons, in seven continents over seven days. Joining him was AFPST Athlete Sally Orange, Luke Wigman and Carl Simmons who also completed the challenge. Darren broke records being the first disabled person to complete this event and raised over \u00a375K!<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”7334″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_column_text]\n

International Competition<\/strong>
\nThen it was time for the season finale in Colorado! The AFPST has always been known for igniting the competitive spirit in our athletes, and this event held in Winter Park was the biggest yet. We were thrilled to have an Invictus Foundation Team of Athletes from Ukraine, Romania, Columbia, Australia, Canada, and Nigeria join us on the snow. With so many adaptive athletes competing, the energy at the event was unparalleled, showing just what is possible as we push boundaries, challenge perception, and change lives together. You can watch the AFPST Winter Park video to get a glimpse of the action.<\/p>\n

This year, our goal was to engage with our athletes, bringing the team together and giving them a renewed sense of purpose and direction. America was the perfect setting to achieve this, and our ten-day trip to Winter Park was centered entirely around our athletes. It was an incredibly unifying experience for our 80-strong team, set against the backdrop of blue skies, pristine snow-covered runs, and breathtaking mountain scenery.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”7333″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_column_text]\n

Each of the three snowsport disciplines organized two races for our athletes. Competition remained the primary focus of the event, culminating in a prize-giving ceremony to celebrate some truly outstanding performances. We have to give a huge thanks to our amazing American hosts, who provided support and adaptive sports equipment. The YMCA in the Rockies proved to be the ideal adaptive-friendly location for our stay, offering reasonable prices. We are incredibly grateful for their hospitality.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”7336″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_column_text]\n

We would also like to give a special mention to our athletes, who were simply incredible. Each of them embraced the spirit of competition and showcased what can be achieved with determination and perseverance. They were a true inspiration to us all.<\/p>\n