Month: March 2018

06/03/2018

Alpine Skiing at the Winter Paralympic Games

The 2018 Paralympic Winter Games will take place between 9 to 18 March, PyeongChang, Gangwon Province, the Republic of Korea and the ParalympicsGB team competing at PyeongChang will include seven Scots intent on contributing to the medal tally.

Four years ago in Sochi, the ParalympicsGB team had their most successful Games of modern times, winning six medals. In PyeongChang, Great Britain will be represented by a team of 17, the largest representation since the Turin Games in 2006.

In the run in to the opening ceremony at PyeongChang, SDS will be featuring all seven Scottish athletes and we commence today with the sport of Alpine Skiing and Brett Wild.

The Alpine disciplines at the Paralympic Winter Games are downhill, slalom, giant slalom, super giant slalom (super-G) and super combined. Results are factored to take each athletes’ degree of impairment into account when calculating a time. While there are different factors for the different disciplines in each of the three sport classes, the same factors are used for men and women. Athletes and spectators see the factored time after each run. In all events the winning competitor is the one who, without missing any gates, records the fastest factored time over the course.

Downhill: The most spectacular of the para Alpine skiing disciplines. The vertical drop (altitude distance between the start and finish gates) varies from 450m to 800m, with competitors required to pass through a series of red gates that are used as checkpoints during the descent.

Super-G: Developed in the early 1980s as an event between free downhill descent and the giant slalom. Today, it is much closer in terms of speed and technical features to the downhill discipline. Super-G competitions are held on a slope with a vertical drop variation of 400m to 600m, with the course marked with a minimum of 30 alternating blue and red gates, positioned to enforce changes of direction.

Giant Slalom: Gates are closer than those in the speed events and the vertical drop varies from 300m to 400m. The competition is contested over two rounds using the same slope but with different courses. The starting order in the second heat is created by reversing the first 30 classified places from the first heat or, in some cases, the first 15 classified places.

Slalom: The vertical drop difference can vary from 140m to 220m. The competition is carried out over two heats on the same slope but with different courses, in the same way as giant slalom. The number of gates on the course varies. The slalom requires considerable agility and dexterity since the slopes in slalom competitions are very steep, with thick snow often artificially iced in order to avoid any premature deterioration of the competition surface.

Super Combined: An event which incorporates elements from other events but is itself a standalone event. Contested on a single day, it comprises one run of either downhill or super-G and one run of either giant slalom or slalom. The most common format is one super-G run and one slalom run. The times are combined and a ranking list drawn up.

Glasgow’s Brett Wild will compete in PyeongChang as guide to Millie Knight with their confidence high following medal success at the 2017 World Para Alpine Skiing Championships. The duo will compete in the Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super-G, Super Combined and Downhill.

Both of Brett Wild’s parents are ski instructors and he started skiing at the age of three while on a family holiday.

A submariner for the Royal Navy, Brett raced for the Scottish junior development squad between the ages of 15-17 and has represented both the Navy and Combined Services teams.

Brett began guiding Millie Knight after a three-day trial in Austria and the pair made their debut together at the World Cup Finals in Aspen in March 2016, where they won the super-G and downhill events as well as finishing third in the giant slalom.

In 2017 the pair claimed an historic downhill victory at the World Championships as well as securing the World Cup title for the same discipline for the 2016/2017 season.

Major results

2017 World Championships, Tarvisio, Italy

Downhill: Gold

Super combined: Silver

Giant slalom: Silver

Slalom: Silver

Read Brett’s athlete profile at https://scottishdisabilitysport.com/brett-wild/

Furthr information relating to snowsports in Scotland can be found at https://scottishdisabilitysport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Snowsports.pdf

The opening ceremony for the PyeongChang Games will take place on the 9th March and in the lead up to the Games, SDS will be profiling all the Scots on the ParalympicsGB team. There will also be regular updates during the Games on this site and on social media so keep your eyes peeled.

05/03/2018

2018 Pyeongchang Winter Paralympic Games

05/03/2018

Day-by-Day Schedule

Date	Time (local)	Time (GMT)	Sport	Event	Athlete/s
Friday 9 March	2000-2150	1100-1250	Opening ceremony
Date	Time (local)	Time (GMT)	Sport	Event	Athlete/s
Saturday 10 March	0930-1230	0030-0330	Alpine Skiing	Downhill	Brett Wild
	1000-1110	0100-0210	Biathlon	7.5km	Scott Meenagh
	1445-1700	0545-0800	Wheelchair Curling	Round Robin NOR v GBR	Aileen Neilson Angie Malone Gregor Ewan Hugh Nibloe Robert McPherson
Date	Time (local)	Time (GMT)	Sport	Event	Athlete/s
Sunday 11 March	0930-1300	0030-0400	Alpine Skiing	Super-G	Brett Wild
	1000-1105	0100-0205	Cross-Country Skiing	15km	Scott Meenagh
	0935-1200	0235-0300	Wheelchair Curling	Round Robin SUI v GBR	Aileen Neilson Angie Malone Gregor Ewan Hugh Nibloe Robert McPherson
	1935-2200	1035-1300	Wheelchair Curling	Round Robin GBR v FIN	Aileen Neilson Angie Malone Gregor Ewan Hugh Nibloe Robert McPherson
Date	Time (local)	Time (GMT)	Sport	Event	Athlete/s
Monday 12 March	1000-1330	0100-0430	Cross Country Skiing	20km Free	Scott Meenagh
	1435-1700	0535-0800	Wheelchair Curling	Round Robin SWE v GBR	Aileen Neilson Angie Malone Gregor Ewan Hugh Nibloe Robert McPherson
	1935-2200	1035-1300	Wheelchair Curling	Round Robin GBR v CAN	Aileen Neilson Angie Malone Gregor Ewan Hugh Nibloe Robert McPherson
Date	Time (local)	Time (GMT)	Sport	Event	Athlete/s
Tuesday 13 March	0930-1700	0030-0800	Alpine Skiing	Super Combined	Brett Wild
	1000-1150	0100-0250	Biathlon	12.5km	Scott Meenagh
	1435-1700	0535-0800	Wheelchair Curling	Round Robin GBr v SVK	Aileen Neilson Angie Malone Gregor Ewan Hugh Nibloe Robert McPherson
	1935-2200	1035-1300	Wheelchair Curling	Round Robin NPA v GBR	Aileen Neilson Angie Malone Gregor Ewan Hugh Nibloe Robert McPherson
Date	Time (local)	Time (GMT)	Sport	Event	Athlete/s
Wednesday 14 March	1000-1430	0100-0530	Cross Country Skiing	Sprint Classic	Scott Meenagh
	0935-1200	0035-0300	Wheelchair Curling	Round Robin GER v GBR	Aileen Neilson Angie Malone Gregor Ewan Hugh Nibloe Robert McPherson
	1435-1700	0535-0800	Wheelchair Curling	Round Robin GBR v USA	Aileen Neilson Angie Malone Gregor Ewan Hugh Nibloe Robert McPherson
Date	Time (local)	Time (GMT)	Sport	Event	Athlete/s
Thursday 15 March	0930-1130	0030-0430	Alpine Skiing	Slalom	Brett Wild
	0935-1200	0035-0300	Wheelchair Curling	Round Robin GBR v KOR	Aileen Neilson Angie Malone Gregor Ewan Hugh Nibloe Robert McPherson
	1935-2200	1035-1300	Wheelchair Curling	Round Robin CHN v GBR	Aileen Neilson Angie Malone Gregor Ewan Hugh Nibloe Robert McPherson
Date	Time (local)	Time (GMT)	Sport	Event	Athlete/s
Friday 16 March	1000-1130	0100-0230	Biathlon	15km	Scott Meenagh
	0935-1200	0035-0300	Wheelchair Curling	Tie Breakers	Aileen Neilson Angie Malone Gregor Ewan Hugh Nibloe Robert McPherson
	1535-1800	0635-0900	Wheelchair Curling	Semi Final	Aileen Neilson Angie Malone Gregor Ewan Hugh Nibloe Robert McPherson
Date	Time (local)	Time (GMT)	Sport	Event	Athlete/s
Saturday 17 March	1240-1355	0340-0455	Cross Country Skiing	7.5km	Scott Meenagh
	0935-1200	0035-0300	Wheelchair Curling	Bronze Medal Match	Aileen Neilson Angie Malone Gregor Ewan Hugh Nibloe Robert McPherson
	1435-1700	0535-0800	Wheelchair Curling	Gold Medal Match	Aileen Neilson Angie Malone Gregor Ewan Hugh Nibloe Robert McPherson
Date	Time (local)	Time (GMT)	Sport	Event	Athlete/s
Sunday 18 March	0930-1330	0035-0430	Alpine Skiing	Giant Slalom	Brett Wild
Sunday 18 March	1000-1205	0100-0305	Cross Country Skiing	4 x 2.5km Relays	Scott Meenagh

05/03/2018

About the Sports

Curling

Snowsports

05/03/2018

Robert McPherson

Athlete Profile: Robert McPherson

Date of birth: 22nd November 1968

Home town: Motherwell, resides Bellshill

Occupation: Athlete

Sport: Wheelchair Curling

Club: South Lanarkshire Curling Club

Coach: Sheila Swan

How and when did you become involved with your sport?
Introduced to the sport by Jim Sellar at the age of 39.

Sporting Highlights

World Wheelchair Curling Championships 2017 – Bronze
Paralympic Games 2014 – Bronze
Scottish Wheelchair Curling Championships 2013 – Champions

Role model
Tom Killin – he has been a great help since joining the squad.

Future Goals
Go to Paralympics 2018.

Pre-game rituals
Listen to heavy rock and punk music.

05/03/2018

Hugh Nibloe

Athlete Profile: Hugh Nibloe

Date of birth: 9th January 1982

Home town: Stranraer

Occupation: Athlete

Sport: Wheelchair Curling

Club: Castle Kennedy Curling Club

Coach: Sheila Swan

How and when did you become involved with your sport?
Introduced to the sport by Brian Park, coach of Stranraer wheelchair curling club.

Sporting Highlights

World Wheelchair Curling Championships 2017 – Bronze
SWCA British Wheelchair Curling Open 2016 – Champions
Ostschweizer Rollstuhlcurling Trophy (St Gallen) 2016 – Champions
World Wheelchair Curling Championship 2015 – 8th
World Wheelchair-B Curling Championship 2015 –5th

Interests
Rugby and football

Role model
Tom Killin

Future Goals
Win medals for Scotland, represent GB at Paralympics.

Pre-game rituals
Listen to music to get in the zone – The Killers, Coldplay, Ocean Colour Scene, Noel Gallagher.

@shug9

05/03/2018

Perth & Kinross Disability Sport: Trustee/Board Member

Perth & Kinross Disability Sport (PKDS) is a Registered Scottish Charity SCO 32262 with the purpose of being the lead organisation in the development of sport for people with physical, sensory or learning disabilities in partnership with key agencies in the local authority area of Perth & Kinross and the wider Tayside region. PKDS is a member branch of Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) who are the governing body of sport for athletes and players with a physical, sensory or learning disability. PKDS have achieved SDS Minimum Operating Requirements which ensures all governance is up to date and fit for purpose. The Board of PKDS now wishes to appoint new Trustees (Board Members) to enable the branch to continue to develop. The branch is currently supported by a Project Manager and an Administrator.

Role Title	Trustee/Board Member (voluntary)
Location	Perth
Contract	This is a voluntary position but reasonable expenses will be paid where appropriate. Trustees will be expected to attend branch meetings 6-8 times per year, support the branch to maintain SDS Minimum Operating Requirements and take the lead on a specific role and/or support ad-hoc projects within the branch. The level of time commitment is flexible and can be tailored to suit the applicant’s current commitments
Term	At each AGM, all Trustees must retire from office but may then be re-elected
Attributes/Skills/ Duties	· Excellent communication skills · Enthusiasm · Attend Board meetings and report back on matters arising if required · Attend Extraordinary and Annual General Meetings as required · Contribute to decision making when necessary · Passionate about the development of disability sport and a strong commitment to work towards the development of sustainable opportunities for people with a disability to take part in sport and physical activity · Support the Chairperson in the work of PKDS
What we offer you	· Training opportunities · A variety of roles and responsibilities suited to your particular skill set and interests · The opportunity to make a difference to children and adults with disabilities · A volunteer experience where you help to maximise potential for every athlete with a disability

Applications

All applicants should send a note of interest to enquiries@perthandkinrossdisabilitysport.com detailing why you are interested in the role, outlining any relevant skills and experience.

If you have any questions or would like more information please do not hesitate to contact us – further information about PKDS can also be found at www.perthandkinrossdisabilitysport.com or the PKDS Facebook page.

05/03/2018

News from Fife’s Swimmers Past and Present

Congratulations to Stirling University undergraduate Lucy Walkup from Glenrothes who has just passed her Level 2 swimming teachers award. Lucy has been teaching swimming in the Stirling area since she became a student at the university following retirement from international deaf swimming. Lucy established herself as one of the leading deaf swimmers in the world and was a regular pick for Team GB. Lucy’s selections included the Deaflympics.

Congratulations to Oliver Carter from Cupar and Carnegie SC who has broken another Scottish S10 short course record at the Hearts meeting in Lothian last weekend. He lowered the Scottish 400m freestyle record to 4:24.16. Oliver is geared up to attend life guard training over the Easter holidays at Lochgelly HS and thereafter pursue a career in swim teaching. Oliver is following in the footsteps of ex Fife and Scottish team mates Lucy Walkup and Stefan Hoggan.

One of our most improved Fife swimmers of the past year is Cameron Hemphill from Ladybank and InCas. Since the Bell Baxter HS teenager was taken under the wing of coach Garrie Roberts he has progressed significantly. Cameron plans to target the 2018 Scottish National Open Swimming Championships, at Tollcross International Swimming Centre at the end of June. He has qualifying times for 50 free, 100 free and 400 free. Cameron had a great experience at the beginning of February when he swam at the 2018 East District Age Groups round 3, where he achieved new Long course personal bests for 50m free 37.42 and 100m free.1:23.71.

04/03/2018

Classification

Alpine Skiing

Sport classes LW 1-9: Standing skiers

Skiers with leg impairments:

Sport Class LW 1: This sport class is allocated to athletes with an impairment that strongly affects both legs, for example an above knee amputation of both legs or significant muscle weakness in both legs.

Sport Class LW 2: Skiers have a significant impairment in one leg. Some skiers, for example, have an impaired leg from birth. You will see them ski with one ski only.

Sport Class LW 3: This sport class is for athletes who have a moderate impairment in both legs. They will ski with two skis and prosthesis. Some LW 3 skiers have mild coordination problems or muscle weakness in both legs, or a below knee amputation in both legs.

Sport Class LW 4: Similar to skiers in Sport Class LW 2, LW 4 skiers have an impairment in one leg only, but with less Activity Limitation. A typical example is a below knee amputation in one leg. They will use two skis during the race.

Skiers with arm impairments:

Sport Class LW 5/7: Athletes in this sport class ski with an impairment in both arms. Some athletes have amputations and others have limited muscle power or coordination problems. They will race down the slopes without ski poles.

Sport Class LW 6/8: Skiers have an impairment in one arm. Skiers will compete with one ski pole only.

Skiers with combined arm and leg impairments:

Sport Class LW 9: Skiers in this Sport Class have an impairment that affects arms and legs. Some skiers in this class have coordination problems, such as spasticity or some loss of control over one side of their body. Depending on their abilities, they will ski with one or two skis and one or two poles.

Sport Classes LW 10-12: Sit-skiers

All sit-skiers have an impairment affecting their legs. They are allocated different sport classes depending on their sitting balance, which is very important for acceleration and balancing during the races.

Sport Class LW 10: Skiers in this sport class have no or minimal trunk stability, for example due to spinal cord injuries or spina bifida. They therefore rely mainly on their arms to manoeuvre the sit-ski.

Sport Class LW 11: Skiers have good abilities in their upper trunk, but very limited control in their lower trunk and hips, as it would be the case for skiers with lower spinal cord injuries.

Sport Class LW 12: This sport class includes skiers with normal or only slightly decreased trunk function and leg impairments. Skiers with leg impairments in Sport Classes LW 1-4 often also fit this sport class, so that they can choose if they want to ski sitting or standing in the beginning of their career.

Sport Classes B1-3: Skiers with visual impairment

Sport Class B1: Skiers in this sport class are either blind or have very low visual acuity. By way of explanation, their level of visual acuity is such that the athlete cannot recognize the letter “E” (15x15cm in size) from a distance of 25cm. During the race they are required to wear eyeshades.

Sport Class B2: This sport class profile includes athletes with a higher visual acuity than athletes competing in the B1 class, but they are unable to recognize the letter “E” from a distance of 4m. Moreover, athletes with a visual field of less than 10 degrees diameter are eligible for this sport class.

Sport Class B3: The B3 sport class profile describes the least severe visual impairment eligible for Para Alpine Skiing. Eligible athletes either have a restricted visual field of less than 40 degrees diameter or a low visual acuity.

In Para Alpine Skiing, you will see athletes with visual impairment skiing with a guide. The guide skis in front of the athlete and verbally gives directions to the athlete.

Nordic Skiing

Nordic Skiing Classification

Skiers in Cross-Country and Biathlon compete in several different sport classes, depending on the activity limitation that their impairment causes.

Sport Classes LW 2-9: Standing Skiers

Skiers with leg impairments:

Sport Class LW 2: The skiers have an impairment affecting one leg, for example an amputation above the knee. They will use a prosthesis and ski with two skis.

Sport Class LW 3: This sport class includes skiers with an impairment in both legs, such as muscle weakness in both legs.

Sport Class LW 4: Skiers in this sport class include those with impairments in the lower parts of one leg, but with less impact on skiing compared to LW 2. Typical examples are amputations above the ankle or loss of muscle control in one leg.

Skiers with arm impairments:

Sport Class LW 5/7: This sport class is designated for athletes with impairments in both arms that prohibit them to use ski poles. Skiers, for example, have no hands or cannot grip firmly. Therefore, you will see them skiing without poles.

Sport Class LW 6: Athletes competing in the LW 6 sport class have a significant impairment in one arm, for example a missing arm above the elbow. The impaired arm is fixed to their body and may not be used during the races. With the other hand they will use a ski pole.

Sport Class LW 8: Skiers in this sport class have moderate impairments affecting one arm. Athletes, for example, cannot flex the elbow or fingers on one side or they have a below elbow amputation. They will use one ski pole only.

Skiers with combined impairments in arms and legs:

Sport Class LW 9: This sport class is designed for skiers who have an impairment in arms and legs. Some of the LW9 skiers have mild coordination problems in all extremities. Others have amputations affecting at one arm and one leg. Depending on their abilities, they will ski with one or two ski poles.

Sport Classes LW 10-12: Sit-Skiers

All sit-skiers have an impairment affecting their legs. They are allocated different sport classes depending on their trunk control, which is very important for acceleration and balancing during the races.

Sport Class LW 10: Skiers have an impairment that limits their leg and trunk function. They would be unable to sit without supporting himself or herself with the arms, for example due to paraplegia.

Sport Class LW 10.5: Skiers in this sport class also have limited trunk control, but they can keep their sitting balance when not moving sideways.

Sport Class LW 11: Skiers have a leg impairment and fair trunk control, which enables them to balance even when moving sideways.

Sport Class LW 11.5: Skiers in this sport class have near to normal trunk control.

Sport Class LW 12: Skiers in this sport class have impairments similar to those described for the sport classes LW 2-4: They have a leg impairment, but normal trunk control. They are eligible to compete standing or sitting and can chose their preferred way of skiing at their first Classification.

Sport Classes B1-3: Skiers with visual impairment

Sport Class B3: The B3 sport class profile describes the least severe visual impairment eligible for Nordic Skiing. Eligible athletes either have a restricted visual field of less than 40 degrees diameter or a low visual acuity.

For B1 skiers a guide is obligatory and B2 and B3 skiers may choose to ski with a guide. The guide skis immediately ahead of the athlete and verbally informs the athlete of course specifics such as corners, inclines, and declines. In Biathlon, athletes with visual impairment shoot at the target by following sound signals.

The Percentage System in Nordic Skiing

The percentage-system is an adjusted time formula, which is used to determine overall place of each competitor relative to all other racers. This formula assigns a percentage to each competitor based on each individual’s particular race class. The athlete’s actual time is multiplied by this percentage to determine his/her adjusted finishing time. Each class has different percentage for the different techniques, classic and free technique. The percentages will be evaluated after every season and changes will be done if necessary. This will be done by the IPNSC.

Wheelchair Curling

The sport is open to male and female athletes who have a physical impairment in the lower half of their body in the lower half of their body, including spinal-cord injuries, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and double-leg amputation. Athletes usually require a wheelchair for daily mobility.

04/03/2018

2018 Winter Paralympic Games – Quick Facts

The Winter Paralympic Games takes place in PyeongChang, South Korea between the 8 March and 18 March 2018
ParalympicsGB is set to compete in a record five sports: Alpine Skiing, Snowboard, Wheelchair Curling and the two disciplines of Nordic Skiing; Biathlon and Cross Country
ParalympicsGB finished 10^th in the medal table in Sochi 2014 (their highest ever finish)
7 of the 17 athletes selected for ParalympicsGB 2018 Winter Paralympics Team are Scottish (41%)
29% of the Scots are female
43% of the Scots will make their Winter Paralympic debut in these games
The ParalympicsGB Wheelchair Curling Team are all Scots
Won Bronze medal at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games
Won Bronze Medal at the World Curling Federation 2017 World Championships in Gangneung, South Korea
Sheila Swan from Perth is the Head coach of Wheelchair Curling in British Curling and is the Head Coach for the Wheelchair curling team at the Games
Scott Meenagh has made the transfer from high performance rowing to Para Nordic sit skiing and previously served with the 2^nd Battalion Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan.