Two Stewartry skiers are in Switzerland at the Special Olympics.
Dalbeattie’s Ryan Powell and Lennon Hughes from New Abbey are part of the Dumfries and Galloway team taking part in the Special Olympics GB national alpine skiing championships in Crans Montana.
This is the first time Dumfries and Galloway Disability Sport has entered a team in the competition. Ryan and Lennon are accompanied by Hayden Keir from Annan and Sam Pattinson from Rigg as well as three coaches.
The athletes only started skiing in 2018 and have been training hard on the dry slope in Carlisle in preparation for the competition which involves 90 athletes from 10 clubs in Scotland, England and Wales.
Thirteen-year-old Ryan is visually impaired and skis with a guide in front of him.
He said: “I’m very excited and a wee bit nervous. I’m really looking forward to skiing on a mountain for the first time and to meeting new skiing friends.”
Nineteen-year-old Lennon said: “I’m nervous and excited. I can’t wait to see the mountains and all the snow and really proud to be on the first ever Dumfries and Galloway team to go to a winter games.”
The competition started on Saturday and continues until this weekend.
Team manager Laura Vickers said: “We are very excited about our trip to Switzerland, following months of hard work and preparation for the competition.
“I am sure they will all be great ambassadors for Dumfries and Galloway and come back with an array of medals and ribbons.”
Laura Vickers also thanked Carlisle Snowsports.
