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"It's a bit like go-karting. Being lower to the ground, the speed
is increased. It's much the same as normal skiing, just a little more
funky".
Comparing able-bodied and disabled skiing, Stephen Napier, Alpine Skier
and competitor in this March's Paralympics in Salt Lake City, observes
that the skills are exactly the same.
Skiing was a recreational activity for Stephen before he had a motorcycle
accident in 1995.
Born in Kent in 1966, he joined the army at the age of 16, where he remained
for thirteen and a half years, and where he was a member of the Royal
Engineers.
Eighteen months after leaving the army and moving to Surrey, he had his
accident, but he waited only six months before joining Backup, a charity
that specialises in sport.
Initially reluctant to recommence skiing, he took up waterskiing - a
summer pastime that he still enjoys as a way of keeping fit.
However, badgering from both his doctor and friends led to him going
on one of Backup's skiing trips "and it all took off from there".
Today skiing (using a mono-ski) is the main passion in his life.
He says that "it's taken up a lot of my time" and describes
a lifestyle that consists of alternating exercise, tournaments and training
others.
The latest round of preparatory training and tournaments began in October,
and since then he has only been home for about three and a half weeks.
His globe-trotting lifestyle, taking in France, Austria, Canada and other
countries, can be tiring.
"It's up early in the morning, out onto the snow, getting all the
equipment ready, then getting up on the mountain, training, getting down,
evening meal then sitting around talking about how the day went and [watching]
taped videos of training during the day".
That means little to no alcohol and, unless he has a day off, he rarely
manges to visit his local.
When Stephen is not exercising for forthcoming tournaments, he trains
others on the two adjoining mountains that form his favourite ski resort
at Whistler, Canada.
Aside from the pleasure of being up in the mountains with the friends
he has there, he says "it's good fun seeing people getting up and
doing it for the first time",
For now, however, he is preparing not just for the Paralympics but for
the World Championships in Wildschönau, Austria.
He admits to having had a slow start, owing to an infection and a pulled
ligament in his arm.
Now, however, his performance is improving, and he hopes to peak around
Olympic time. "I'm definitely doing a whole lot better at the moment",
he says.
Let's hope so. And if he brings home a medal, maybe he'll allow himself
an evening drink…
Posted: 6 Feb, 2002
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