Sochi Paralympics

[DrLeftover]

Sochi Paralympics: Ukraine beat Russia to biathlon gold

Ukraine claimed their first gold medal of the Sochi Winter Paralympics as Vitaliy Lukyanenko won the 7.5km visually impaired biathlon.

The 35-year-old beat Russia's five-time world champion Nikolay Polukhin, the pre-race favourite, by 11 seconds with Vasili Shaptsiaboi of Belarus third.

Ukraine had considered a boycott of the Sochi Games in protest at Russia's occupation of Crimea.

But on Friday they decided to compete, and 24 hours later won five medals.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/disability-sport/26495075

 

[Jazzy]

Visually-impaired skier Jade Etherington has won ParalympicsGB's first medal at the Winter Games in Sochi, less than an hour into the event.

She took silver in the women's downhill, clocking a time of one minute 34.28 seconds with the aide of her guide Caroline Powell.

It is Britain's first Paralympic slope medal in 20 years and means the team has already bettered its haul from Vancouver four years ago.

Etherington and Powell had not even met a year ago, and this was only their third competitive downhill run together.

The pair communicate on the slopes via radio.

There was a worrying moment when Etherington crashed crossing the finish line, but she was soon back on her feet.

The 22-year-old trainee teacher from Lincoln, who celebrates her birthday on Sunday, said: "I can't believe what's just happened.

"We knew it was it was a solid run because we were shouting 'go, go, go' and we had good, solid communication.

"I'm so proud and excited and I can't wait to get that medal in my hands."

Powell added: "We were really excited today and we knew that being excited rather than nervous usually means we'll have a good run. I'm so proud of Jade and what she's done."

Etherington's teammate Kelly Gallagher, skiing with her guide Charlotte Evans, finished sixth.

Source

Heartwarming and what an awesome early birthday present!