Great Britain’s world class ski champions, Graham Bell and Ed Drake, have joined Atomic UK’s team in the UK’s first ever ski-a-thon on real snow. The Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) are holding the 12 hour endurance event on 12 September, at Sno!zone, Milton Keynes. Up to 100 teams of up to six people can participate in the event, with one team member being on the slope at all times.
Eight-times British ski champion Graham Bell, a well-known face from presenting the BBCs Ski Sunday, will grace the slopes, being one of the best skiers the UK has ever known. Graham’s passion for skiing has been displayed through his motivating, coaching and encouraging of young people to get involved in the sport. In 1999 he was appointed as Performance Director at the British Ski and Snowboard Federation.
Joining Graham is Ed Drake, British Alpine ski champion, who has qualified to compete in the Winter Olympics next year. Since becoming British Junior Champion in the 2004/05 season Ed’s star performances have continued, ending last season by picking up the British Super-G and Giant Slalom titles, as well as winning the Overall British title.
“We are supporting the SIA ski-a-thon because we know how much work this charity puts into helping those who have been affected by spinal injuries. This is an ideal opportunity for us to become part of an event that demonstrates how people can still get out and enjoy the mountains, even if they have a spinal injury.
“Atomic works with a number of athletes on the British disabled ski team including Talan Skeels-Piggins, who is ranked fifth in the world in downhill. He is an inspiration to anyone who wants to see the sports you can do from a wheelchair. Some of us are also personally close to motorcycling and see the terrible injuries that bikers suffer too often. SIA helps these riders and we would like to show our support for them,” explained Russell O’Neill, sales manager for Atomic UK and Ireland.
The skiing stars will be joining employees and friends of Atomic UK, the leaders of the sport equipment market, to form a team for the event. Atomic have also donated a pair of skis or a snowboard and ski boots as prizes for the event.
Working with SIA, Adaptive SnowSports MK has entered teams and will be demonstrating their mono-skiing equipment to encourage disabled skiers to join in with the ski-a-thon. In addition to the skiing, SIA has organised Nintendo WII competitions, live bands, a treasure hunt involving Xscape’s retail outlets and some great prizes to ensure that the event is an entertaining day for all.
If you would like to put together a team, join a team, or even volunteer an entertainment act, contact Sarah on s.tennent@spinal.co.uk or call 0845 6786633 ext. 217.