Four skiers did the region proud in Switzerland last week.
For the first time, Dumfries and Galloway Disability Sport entered a team in the Special Olympics GB national alpine skiing championships in Crans Montana.
And the squad of Dalbeattie’s Ryan Powell, New Abbey’s Lennon Hughes, Annan’s Hayden Keir and Rigg’s Sam Pattinson returned home with two gold medals, three silvers, a bronze and a variety of place ribbons.
Team manager Laura Vickers said: “We are immensely proud of this team, they have conducted themselves with professionalism, dedication and are a credit to themselves and their families.
“There were some fantastic performances from all involved in the team with all athletes giving 100 per cent each and every time they stepped up to represent Dumfries and Galloway.”
The first day of competition featured the giant slalom with Ryan winning gold in the novice race. Hayden took a silver in division four of the intermediate classification with Lennon finishing sixth and Sam claimed seventh in division one.
The following day was the Super G and there were more medals as Hayden took silver and Lennon took bronze in intermediate division four and Sam was seventh in the top division.
And in the final event – the slalom – Ryan won another gold with Lennon taking silver in division three. Hayden marked his birthday with fifth in division two and Sam put in a superb ski to earn a fourth place ribbon.
Laura added: “On behalf of Dumfries and Galloway Disability Sport I would like to thank everyone who has made this amazing journey possible from Carlisle Snowsports coaches Phil and Eric for helping set up weekly sessions at Carlisle and all the grants, donations and support given in raising the funds to get Team D&G to the games and to the families who have supported the team throughout, we certainly heard you cheering.
“A massive thank you also goes to our amazing support team – Josh Buchanan our head coach for giving up his time coaching session prior to the games and all his hard work and commitment with the team and to Sandra Proudfoot AHOD who has been there from the start of this journey and supported the team throughout the games and goes above and beyond to give the athletes experiences I’m sure they won’t forget.”
