BDST Season 2008/09
Development Squad 2008-2009 Season Report
The Season 2008-2009 marked the first full season of a new, dedicated, Development Programme by The British Disabled Ski Team and Disability Snowsport UK.
The aim of the Development Programme is essentially to take skiers at grass roots level and give them the opportunity and the right training to transform into sporting champions. In many cases the skiers selected had only been skiing for a season - the objective from our point of view was therefore to spot potential early and give these talented new skiers the chance to develop quickly with individualised tuition and coaching.
Click here for the latest seasons report which can also be downloaded from the Development page on this site
Sowerby achieves overall third in the IPCAS European Cup Rankings for the 2008/09 Season...
With the final results in from the last European Cup races in Slovakia, it was time for the overall season rankings to be assessed. GB had a limited number of athletes competing in the European Cup races this season given the demand for World Cup competition and training and competition in North America. Nothwithstanding this, Jane Sowerby, who has been building on her performance throughout the season came up trumps - she was crowned in third place in the overall combined European Cup points list for this season and a fantastic and deserved achievement for the efforts put in.
With only 4 athletes having competed in the IPCAS European Cup races this season GB still managed to achieve an excellent 14th place in the overall Nations rankings which was a bonus given the focus outside Europe this season.
The squad now unwind a little with some forerunning at the British Championships in Meribel before the summer programme begins in earnest. This will include proposals to send a large contingent of athletes and development sqaud to the Winter Games New Zealand in August 2009 as part of the final preparations for Vancouver 2010.
2009 IPC European Cup Finals, Jasna, Slovakia (25th - 29th March 2009)
Hat-trick o
f Medals for Sowerby with Gold, Silver & Bronze in Jasna...
Sowerby returning from the highs of her first world cup competition in Whistler, Canada was dominant in the last competition of the European season in Jasna, Slovakia. She kicked off the weeks races with a deserved bronze in the Super G less than 3 seconds off the leader. Consolidating on this success she produced a superior win in the second Super G and combined this with a strong slalom to achieve Silver in the overall Super Combined.
Docker delivers with Bronze in Super G... 
In a welcome return to form following a good display in the Whistler World Cup a few weeks ago, Docker also produced excellent results achieving his first podium this season with a great display of speed skiing in the super G to collect the Bronze for the men. This unfortunately could not be replicated in the second of the SG races but Docker still pulled himself into the top 10 to finish a very creditable 7th. Whilst the technical races have never been Russell Docker's forte, he dug deep to record a time which was good enough to keep him in the top ten and record overall 10th place in the Super Combined.
Farr produces on slalom day...
Other attendees included Tim Farr who has been returning from a season of injury and who finally began to see some progress with a 15th in the second Super G which when combined with a great Slalom pulled him into 12th place in the Super Combined.
However he was finally back in the groove on slalom day with a long overdue top ten, finishing in 9th place. Fellow racer Docker still achieved a finish but down the field in 19th. For the ladies, Sowerby continued her great late season performance just outside the medals with a 4th
The technical Giant Slalom which was due to take place on Sunday was cancelled due to poor conditions.
Skeels-Piggins claims Bronze in Sun Peaks Super G...
Elsewhere in the last of the North American races Talan Skeels-Piggins, who had remained behind after the Whistler World Cup, managed to up his game and achieve Bronze in the IPC NorAm (Canadian Nationals) Super G and 5th in the Slalom in Sun Peaks, BC, Canada.
A fitting end to the season for these hard working athletes and further valuable points to help with Vancouver 2010 selection.
Results:
Athlete | Super G (1) | Super G (2) | Super Combined | Giant Slalom | Slalom |
Jane Sowerby | 3rd | 1st | 2nd | Cancelled | 4th |
Russell Docker | 3rd | 7th | 10th | Cancelled | 19th
|
Tim Farr | 20th | 15th | 12th | Cancelled | 9th |
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|
| | |
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Additional information available via the Whistler IPC Alpine World Cup Finals 2009 website. Click here.
Congratulations it's a girl!
Double paralympian Russell Docker is the proud father of baby daughter Sophia born in the afternoon of Monday 27th April.
Both Mum and daughter doing well and due home at the weekend - Well done Tracey and a great little sister for Georgia.
There must be something in the BDST water!
Congratulations to the whole Docker family from everyone at BDST and DSUK.
Disability Snowsport Skiathon 2009 (1st - 15th May 2009)
The 2009 Disability Snowsport National Skiathon is here! This year, we have a solar theme. The distances that we challenge you to ski are comparable to the three highest mountains on the Moon, Venus and Mars. So pick your challenge, pick the ski slope nearest to you, and ski out of this world!
The three challenges are:
1. Mount Huygens on the Moon - 3.4miles (5,472 metres) (individual challenge)
2. Mount Maxwell on Venus - 6.8miles (10,944 metres) (group or brave individual challenge!)
3. Mount Olympus on Mars - 15miles (24,140 metres) (team challenge - 6+people)
For your £10 entry fee you will receive seriously reduced (or even free!) entry to the slope of your choice, support from us in undertaking your chosen challenge, as well as an event t-shirt. There will be prizes for the individual and group who raise the most sponsorship money – so get fundraising!
For full datails and to register online now please follow the attached link to the DSUK website:
Disability Snowsport Skiathon
2009 IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup Finals - Whistler, BC, Canada (8th - 15th March 2009)
Docker performs in Downhill for a deserved 15th place...Rose delivers on final slalom day with a 7th...
After a difficult two weeks the team left Korea and arrived safely in Canada for some preliminary training in Whistler prior to the World Cup Finals. Competeing on the courses that will form the venue for the 2010 games, the races commenced following a series of training days at the beginning of the week with the Downhill.
Great expectations from Rose were thwarted with a crash at the end of the course following what had been a magnificent run and on the time to hit a podium position. A solid performance from Docker still ensured a respectable display with his 15th place. Docker's trademark of getting some air was again on show for all to see. Skeel-Piggins too was not far behind in 21st.
In Super G Docker continued to produce good speed finishing the race in 22nd again just ahead of Skeels-Piggins in 26th. Meanwhile, Jane Sowerby in the womens sit category and experiencing the hard packed and icy racing conditions of her first World Cup SG race made it through the finish in a plume of spray relieved to have achieved her first finish at this level. Unfortunately, Rose was DSQ in a debateable decision for missing a gate and unable to progress to the slalom.
The Super Combined saw no finishers from the GB team with the slalom course taking its toll after successful S
uper G runs for Docker and Sowerby.
Rose was the only athlete qualified for the technical races of GS and SL at the end of the week. Sitting in 17th after his first run in the GS he dug deep in what has been a frustrating and tiring week was able to improve on his earlier time but this was insufficient to pull him up the rankings finally finishing 20th.
Races conclude on Saturday with the final slalom races with Sean Rose putting everything together over the two runs to record a top ten with 7th place - a further magnificent achievement in his build up to the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games
Great spectator support for GB was seen throughout the week including athletes Farr and Turney who whilst not qualified yet for World Cup competition were in attendance to cheer on their fellow athletes, absorbing some of the experience of competition at this level. It won't be too long before they achieve the points required to join their fellow athletes.
Meanhwhile, Sean Rose's parents, wife Lianne and new son Thomas (in particular strong voice) and all displaying an interesting range of attire joined in cheers. Sean's mum, Pauline Rose was welcomed into the commentators box to say a few positive words (nothing to do with the jestor's hat she was wearing) - their support for both Sean and the rest of the GB athletes was greatly appreciated.
2009 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships - Korea ( 19 February - 01 March 2009)
Downhill sees Rose achieve 13th place
The only finisher in the last races of the championship for GB was Sean Rose who recorded a 13th place after being in 10th with a thrilling first race in the downhill.
Both Docker and Skeels-Piggins recorded DNF after the first and second runs respectiveley with Sowerby not in a position to start.
This World Championships has certainly highlighted the serious level of competition required to be a top performer with only a year to the Vancouver games with Rose continuing to display a level of consistency to keep him in contention.
The athletes now pack up and head toward the 2010 Paralympic venue of Whistler for the World Cup finals commencing week 9th March where lessons learnt from these Championships can be put into practice and a push for further WC medals made.
The fact that GB managed to send a complement of 6 athletes to these games is in itself a remarkable achievement building on the small squad of three who represented GB at the Turin 2006 Paralympic Winter games.
A very well done to all concerned.
Disappointment on first days races of Championship (20.02.09)
The first day of slalom had seen Tim Farr come through as the only finisher for GB with Rose failing to capitalise on a good first run to record a DNF for his second whilst both Docker and Skeels-Piggins went out on their first run.
In the womens category both Jane Sowerby and Anna Turney put in sterling performances but was not enough to put them in contention finishing 7th and 8th respectively.
A move back in the right direction on day two as Rose Achieves Top 10 in GS (21.02.09)
After a disappointing start in the slalom races the day before matter began to turn around for the GB squad with Sean Rose achieving 10th in the mens Giant Slalom his best ever position in competition for this event at this level with Anna Turney a very encouraging and hard fought race to achieve 4th in the womens sit category.
Sowerby was unable to complete her first run as was Docker with Skeels-Piggins suffering from a stomach virus which had hit a number of athletes having to withdraw from the start.
Further Disappointment in the Super Combined and Super G (23/24.02.09)
Hoping to see a repeat of form seen at the last world cup there was some expectation for finishes in both the SC and SG races held over the last two days. Unfortunately this was not to be. For the SC which combines the results from a speed event and a technical discipline GB suffered a number of DNFs of failure to qualify for the second runs.
In todays Super G, Jane Sowerby corrected matters for the ladies in the womens sit category by finishing 7th but remained some 13 seconds off the lead. Considering the short time she has been on the circuit this was still a great achievement.
For the men it was down to Messrs Farr and Skeel-Piggins to finish the race coming in 30th and 31st respectively and finding it difficult to maintain the pace of the leaders. Both Rose and Docker (probably on for a high place) pushed that little bit too hard and ended their races crashing out.
2009 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships ( 19 February - 01 March 2009)
Bonn, Germany - Around 160 athletes from 25 different countries are making their way to the High 1 Ski Resort in Gangwon-Do, Korea, for the 2009 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships.
The event, taking place from 19 February to 1 March, is organized by the Korea Sports Association for the Disabled (KOSAD), the Korea Adaptive Ski Association (KASA) and the High 1 Ski Resort. The first competition will be the Slalom on 20 February, followed by the Giant Slalom, Super Combined, Super-G and Downhill races on the subsequent days. The Team Event in the Giant Slalom race as well as the Closing Ceremony will take place on the final day.
A full schedule of the proceedings is detailed below.
 |  |  |  |
| 18. 02. 2009 | wed | Arrival | |
| 19. 02. 2009 | Thu | Training
Classification seminar
The opening ceremony | grandbloom
auditorium |
| 20. 02. 2009 | Fri | SL Race (2 Runs) | Apollo 6 |
| 21. 02. 2009 | Sat | GS Race (2 Runs) | Apollo 4 |
| 22. 02. 2009 | Sun | REST DAY --
SPORT FORUM | |
| 23. 02. 2009 | Mon | SC Race (SG & SL) | Apollo 4
Apollo 6 |
| 24. 02. 2009 | Tue | SG Race | Apollo 4 |
| 25. 02. 2009 | Wed | REST DAY | |
| 26. 02. 2009 | Thu | Official 1st DH Training | Apollo 4 |
| 27. 02. 2009 | Fri | Official 2nd DH Training | Apollo 4 |
| 28. 02. 2009 | Sat | DH Race | Apollo 4 |
| 01. 03. 2009 | Sun | TEAM EVENT (GS)
Closing Ceremony | Apollo 4 |
Athletes sure to impress at High 1 Resort in Korea are Lauren Woolstencroft and Christopher Williamson from Canada, Jakub Krako from Slovakia, Tyler Walker and Stephani Victor from USA, and Gerd Schoenfelder from Germany. These athletes raced to victories at the IPC Alpine Skiing World Cups this season in Sestriere, Italy, and La Molina, Spain, and are all aiming to repeat their winning performances at the World Championships.
Athletes competing in Alpine Skiing events combine speed, strength and power pushing their limits to speed down mountain tops and through slalom courses. They compete in three categories (Sitting, Standing and Visually Impaired), and a results calculation system allows athletes with different profiles to compete against each other. Sighted guides assist skiers with a visual impairment through the course. Athletes with a physical disability use equipment that is adapted to their needs, including mono-skis, sit-skis or outriggers. Speeding down the slopes with sometimes more than 100km/h, the athletes prove that this is an elite level event.
Highlights from the competition will be broadcasted on IPC’s Internet TV channel on www.ParalympicSport.TV.
For more information and results from the 2009 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships, please visit the official website at http://09wchkorea.com/.
IPCAS Noram- Kimberley, BC, Canada ( 03 - 06 February 2009)
Rose delivers in Canada with the same medal haul as Sowerby in Europe...
Downhill Races...
Whilst we saw success with a contingent of the BDST in Europe this week similar results were being achieved across the water in the IPCAS Noram races in Kimberley, British Columbia. Four athletes were in attendance headed by paralympic skier Sean Rose. The Kimberley races, unlike those in Sweden focused on the speed events of Downhill and Super G.
Rose on blistering form achieved silver in his first downhill only 300th of a second behind multiple paralympic medal winner Devlin-Young. Hoping to improve on this in the second Rose pushed a little too hard and a mistake saw him finishing in 15th. Rose was joined by Skeel-Piggins who had two good top ten performances finishing 8th and 9th respectively. A new prospective addition to the team in the mens standing category, Steve Hallam, produced a great performance to record 4th.
Rose seen here at the medal ceremony with his young son Thomas who received the biggest cheer of the day!
In the ladies sit category, Anna Turney was unable to achieve a finish in the first race but recovered form in the second for a well deserved 4th place.
Super G...
More medals for Rose in the Super G managing his second silver and a further bronze. Turney also made it into the medals for the women with a magnificent silver. Skeels-Piggins improved on both his downhill positions by recording a 7th and 6th respectiveley in the two Super G races.
In all, the last week has seen a combined tally of 7 podiums for the British squad showing continued great form as we go into the World Championships in Korea in the next few weeks.
Paralympic Winter World Cup - Solleftea, Sweden ( 03 - 07 February 2009)
Athletes from the BDST converge on Solleftea in Sweden to take part in the Alpine races which form one element of a comprehensive series of winter sports covering the paralympic categories.
Sowerby successful on first day with Bronze in slalom...
Fresh from her successful warm-up at the Czech Nationals at the end of January, Jane went into the Solleftea races brimmng with confidence. In the first day of slalom races she was to be rewarded with a deserved podium. Having been in 5th after her first run she drilled deep for the second, recording the fastest time of the day in her sit catehory. This combined with her first run pushed her up the leader board into third and a fantastic bronze medal.
In the mens category, Tim Farr 17th and Russell Docker DNF (2.Run)
Unfortunately, momentum could not be maintained in the second days slalom races with both Sowerby and Docker recording DNFs. However Farr's consistency brought him home in 20th position.
Silver for Sowerby in the first GS...
Following her success in the slalom the technical GS course held no problems for Jane who produced two great runs to finish in 2nd place just 1.5 seconds off the winner.
Russell Docker also had two good runs finally finishing in 13th for the mens sit category with Tim Farr following behind in 23rd.
Second Giant Slalom - Sowerby triumphs with a further silver...
In the second days set of GS races Jane Sowerby continued to build on the confidence shown in the earlier races just narrowly missing the leaders combined times to record her second silver of the competition. This has given Jane some well deserved points and puts her in World Cup qualification territory in these technical races.
Docker was unable to complete his first run but Farr improved on the previous days placings moving into the top 20.
A great all round performance by all three athletes in these technical disciplines during the course of the week.
Follow the attached link for full details of the venue and competition programme.
IPCAS World Cup - Sestriere, Italy ( 18 - 24 January 2009)
Rose achieves second medal with Bronze in Super Combined
Following on from the successes of the mornings downhill run the athletes had the afternoon to contend with a single slalom race the results of which were added to those of the Downhill to make up the Super Combined (showing all round capabilities of the athletes as both speed and technical racers). Rose still pumped up from his mornings exertions applied the pressure with a slalom time sufficient to put him in third overall in the SC.
Determined to get his name on the finishing results for the SC, Docker whilst not producing the quickest of slalom races got through all the gates to achieve a finish and valuable world cup points.
Bad weather on the last two days of competion saw the Super G and Super G Combined being cancelled
Rose a magnificent silver for second Downhill of the competition
Rose achieved GB's first Silver in World Cup competition for many a year with a great display of speed racing in the second of this World Cup's Downhill's. Docker was unable to duplicate his efforts from the previous day but still managed to finish 17th. Unfortunately for Skeels-Piggins, a high speed crash left him recording a DNF and being taken to hospital for observation. He has since left and is doing well but will not take further part in this weeks races.
Rose 6th, Docker 9th in the first downhill of the Sestriere World Cup...
In a reminiscence of the 2006 Turin Paralympic Winter Games Rose stormed to a 6th in the first WC downhill of the season. With conditions finally improving for the event there wasn't much in it for the top racers with skiers Tyler Walker and Devlin-Young from the US taking Gold and Bronze respectively, Yohann Taberlet from France the Silver, Markus Pfisterer 4th and vetran Braxenthaler from Germany just pipping Rose with 5th place.
Docker who struggled through injury during the last games came to the fore and showed what he could really do with a magnificent 9th place and within 1/2 second of Rose.
Unfortunately Skeels-Piggins received a DSQ near the end of the course at Gate 37so did not record a result.
A second Downhill and in a change to the programme due to concerns over conditions later in the week, from Super G to Slalom still to come.
A larger BDST contingent make their way across Europe to Italy for the next World Cup...
Messrs Rose, Docker, Skeels-Piggins all qualified for the speed events at the 2006 paralympic venue of Sestriere in the Italian alps.
Rose and Docker make the long road journey across from La Molina together with Coach, Jane Stevens and look to meet up with the others at the resort.
Villars 24hr Race, Switzerland ( 17 - 18 January 2009)
On the weekend of 17/18 January, members of the Youth Development Squad Ben Sneesby and James Whitley, as well as prospective Adult Development Squad members Pierre Petits and Tim Ellison took part in the annual BCV Villars 24 hour ski race. Development Coach, Rachel Easton, and Development Director, Dave Chugg, were there to oversee proceedings and help clock up the mileage.
This event gets better every year and provides a brilliant way to introduce budding racers into the world of ski racing – complete with ruts, bumps and adrenalin filled competitors. In total our skiers covered 379 Km and also raised over £1,500 - split between DSUK and the two Villars charities of Fondation Theodora and Springfield club.
We are pleased to say that we had no injuries, just one broken ski, and that our helpers had a very hard time indeed keeping pace with the young racers.
Special mention must go to James, Ben and to fellow DSUK skier Polly Walker for their amazing efforts and enthusiasm throughout. James (11!) was at one point observed going around the same gate as and rubbing elbows with three adult ski racers, his legs moving like rubber underneath him.
We hope this event continues for many years to come. Thank you to all who donated money to our just giving site. If you would like to see photos of this event, then please visit our gallery.
Neil English and Rob Freeman, The Mail on Sunday, 12th December 2008 - if you missed the article click the link above for the amazing video story...
IPCAS World Cup - La Molina, Spain ( 11 - 15 January 2009)
Athletes converge on the resort of La Molina for the first of the World Cup competitions this season.
The BDST are represented in the first set of world cup races this season with the experienced World Cup racer, Sean Rose to the fore. Unfortunately, Joe Willoughby is subject to Injury status (IS) so is currently unable to compete - we wish her a speedy recovery.
Rose 13th in the second day of GS races...
Sean Rose overcame a disappointing first day of Giant Slalom races (having recorded a DNF in his first run) to bounce back on the second day completing both runs to record a very commendable 13th place - Coach, Jane Stevens, reported that for a small blip during one of his runs, we would have seen him squeezing into the top ten - well done Sean.
Disappointment for Rose in the Slalom...
The last two days of competition in the technical slalom category did not prove successful for Sean. On what was a very tough hill and conditions, particularly for the mono skiers, he was unable to get past his first run on both days. He was in good company though as there were very few finishers in his group.
The points entry level for these technical races (Slalom & Giant Slalom) is set at an aggressive 100 which leaves both Docker and Farr narrowly missing the cut, however Docker is qualified along with Skeels-Piggins for future World Cup speed events which take place in Sestriere, Italy, next week.
Russell Docker has however not been idle as he took the opportunity to act as forerunner for the GS races in La Molina - all good additional practice for when he achieves the points level to compete alongside his fellow racers.
The squad now head across from Spain to the 2006 Winter Paralympic venue of Sestriere to make amends with the forthcoming speed events in the next world cup.
IPCAS NorAm Winter Park, Colorado, USA - (17-18 December 2008)
Second races of the season take place in Winter Park. This time concentrating on both technical with a GS and the first speed races of the season with a SuperG.
| | GS | SG |
| Sean Rose | DNF | 6th |
| Russell Docker | 13th | DNF |
| Talan Skeels-Piggins | DNF | 9th |
| Tim Farr | 10th | 14th |
| Jane Sowerby | 2nd | 2nd |
| Anna Turney | 4th | DNF |
Sowerby ach
ieves her second podium of season with silver in Giant Slalom...
In seriously difficult powder conditions (race almost being cancelled) Sowerby powered through both giant slalom runs to finish 2nd. Rose, who only has winning in his sights, led after the first run but pushing too hard crashed out in the second to record a DNF.
Other squad members all performed well considering the conditions with:
Men: Tim Farr 10th, Russell Docker 13th, Talan Skeels-Piggins DNF (2nd run)
Ladies: Anna Turney 4th
A further silver for Sowerby in the Super G
The second day of races saw the seasons first speed races. Again Jane Sowerby showed her early season form and consistency with a magnificent 2nd competeing in a field of athletes ranked higher than her on points.
Rose again on the edge held it together to record a 6th with good runs coming from Skeels-Piggins and Tim Farr to both record a finish.
Full confirmed details available via the IPCAS website - links below.
IPCAS NorAM "The Hartford Ski Spectacular", Copper, USA - (08-09 December 2008)
Rose and Sowerby podium in first event of season...
Copper Mountain saw the start of our GB's athletes competative raceseason with The Hartford Ski Spectacular in Copper Mountain close to the Breckenridge Ridge, Colorado. WIth a strong contingent of GB racers including, Docker, Farr, Rose, Skeels-Piggins, Sowerby and Turney the pressure was on to carry on where the team left off at the end of last season with some excellent results in North America. With a quality strength and conditioning programme and on snow opportunities over the summer months the squad are well prepared, having recently undergone their pre-season tuning camp in Hintertux, Austria.
Two technical NorAm races were on the agenda with both a Slalom and Giant Slalom taking place on the Copperoplius run on Copper Mountain. The slalom took place on Monday, 8 December and the Giant Slalom on Tuesday 9th.
Results:
| | SL | GS |
| Sean Rose | 2nd | 3rd |
| Russell Docker | 15th | 9th |
| Talan Skeels-Piggins | DNF | 14th |
| Tim Farr | DSQ | 13th |
| Jane Sowerby | 5th | 3rd |
| Anna Turney | DNF | 6th |
Day 1 - Rose christens his 2008/09 season with a magnificent 2nd in the Slalom
Day 2 - Sowerby delivers for the ladies with a Bronze in the GS. Rose another excellent day with a 3rd also
Two excellent performances from Rose and Sowerby produced our first two podiums. On later recalculation of scores, Rose pushed back into podium territory to achieve his second podium for the GS with a 3rd.
Docker had a confident start in the slalom completing both runs. Skeels-Piggins, Farr and Turney all had good first runs but failed on their second with either falls or disqualification.
The GS produced a good 8th for Docker, possible 12th for Farr and 15th for Skeels-Piggins and Turney a possible 7th in the ladies category.
Full confirmed details available via the IPCAS website - links below.
Based just to the west of Denver check out exactly where Copper Mountain is by clicking here and get the latest weather detail by clicking here
BDST Youth and Adult Development Squads get first taste of European training
A successful couple of weeks in Hintertux for both youth and adult development athletes. Congratulations to those attending for working hard in difficult conditions. If you can produce the results when things are difficult just think what can be achieved in perfect conditions. Coaches reports were suitably impressive so all give yourselves a well deserved pat on the back.
Development Director, Dave Chugg has now posted photos of the various exploits which can be accessed via this link Hintertux Development Weeks . Feel free to browse and download your favourites for the scrap book of your road to Sochi 2014.
Don't forget to get back to Dave with your interest for the remaining Development Events for the 2008/09 season
BDST Media Pack now available for download
In line with our parent charity Disabliity Snowsport UK the team has also released its own media pack available for download.
This provides a wealth of useful information about the team - its mission, vision, people, successes and future - spread the word.
phone 0161 7492290
Includes access to a number of our athletes detailed profiles - if you can help them or the team please contact us now or go to the Donate Now link at the top of this page.
The latest version (2008/2009) of the IPC Alpine Skiing Rulebook is available via the link to the IPC website above.
The IPC Rules and Regulations are to be used in combination with the FIS-Alpine International Competition Rules (ICR) as approved during FIS-Congress 2008 in Cape Town, RSA.
An exciting milestone in the history of the BDST took place in Manchester over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Building on the hardwork of BDST Development Director, Dave Chugg and associated colleagues a total of 10 new faces were accepted onto the teams new development pathway. It was not just the fact that this represented the largest intake of development squad athletes into the BDST but more importantly that a number of these have come from our youth programme.
The weekend was kindly funded by the BOOST charitable trust (www.boostct.org) for which we are very grateful.
To read the full report and names of the new Development Squad members please click on the Development Menu above or Link to Development News
It's a boy
Another first for our No.1 skier - Congratulations Sean and Leanna Rose on the birth of their first child - THOMAS - on 27th August - couldn't wait to join us having popped out a little early but both mother and son doing well and dad very proud!
Best wishes from all at the BDST and DSUK.
Saas Fee Summer Camp a success...
Building on our relationship with Snowsport GB, the opportunity was taken over the last couple of weeks in July to trial a summer camp in the glacier resort of Saas Fee high in the Swiss Alps.
A small contingent from the BDST, including Tim Farr and Jane Sowe
rby joined most of the British able bodied alpine team for some on snow summer training with great success - Jane even receiving the wisdom of how to attack the best racing line from Britains World Cup and Olympic athlete, Alain Baxter.
When not on the snow additional recreational training was taken by riding hand-bikes through the stunning Swiss mountain scenery.
We look forward to building on this core area of training in the years ahead as we build a year round programme for our athletes on and off snow. Our thanks to the Snowsport GB for a very worthwhile opportunity
Ski Tuning Seminar confirmed 22 August 2008
Following discussions with Anything Tech we are please to confirm a ski tuning seminar for athletes will take place at Chill Factore on Friday, 22 August. This will be followed later in the day with the launch of the 2009 BDST Calendar which will be available for order in due course. All this precedes the Development Squad Invitation Weekend where those attending will have the opportunity to meet up with athletes and the wider BDST management.
IPC confirm 2009 World Championships and 2008/09 Equipment Regulations
The IPC have confirmed that the 2009 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships will take place in Korea between 19 February and 1 March 2009.
This represents an important date on our athletes calendar as we move towards Vancouver 2010. Dates have been added to the event calendar and full race information will be made available via the IPC website in due course.
The International Paralympic Committee has released the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games Qualification Guide the purpose of which is to provide the British Paralympic Association (our National Paralympic Committee (NPC)) with a comprehensive document that outlines the qualification systems necessary to be met for athletes and teams seeking to compete in the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games.
The management of BDST will be working closely with the BPA to ensure appropriate structure is put in place specifically in support of our sport-specific qualification criteria.