A
series of minor setbacks won't hold the New
Zealand DIsabled Ski Team back on its way to
compete in the Winter Paralympics in Nagano,
Japan.One of New Zealand's big medal
hopefuls, Cantabrian Steve Bayley, suffered
an injury to his ankle after intense racing
and training in North America. A below the
knee amputee, Bayley has been resting his
injury in order to be fit for Nagano, and
should be fit for the Paralympics to begin
in four days time.
Four members of the New Zealand
delegation missed their international flight
due to heavy rain in Los Angeles and had to
stay a night in the city. They finally
arrived in Japan at 1am on the 26th February
having left the United States two days
earlier.
Once they arrived, the team's only blind
skier, Aucklander Sue Walker, was struck
with a twenty-four hour bug. She now appears
to have recovered from her illness
completely.
Cantabrian Rachael Battersby, the
youngest member of the team at 19 years, cut
her hand with a file while sharpening her
ski edges. She has had butterfly stitches to
her hand and thumb but is expected to be fit
to race in the next few days.
Battersby only has one hand after
deciding, three years ago, to have her
paralysed arm amputated in order for her to
ski better.
All six members of the New Zealand Ski
Team are feeling positive about the upcoming
Paralympics and are taking the opportunity
to train, explore the mountain, and get lots
of rest.
It is hoped that the weather will not
cause the same problems for the Paralympics
as it did for the Olympics two weeks ago.
