Beijing 2022 – Day 7 Update

The Para Skiing events took centre stage on day 7 of the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing.

Para Nordic Skiing

Scott Meenagh achieved the best result of his Paralympic career finishing in 6th place in the long-distance biathlon in Zhiangjiakou. Scott pushed hard over the 12.5km course to finish in 40:32.5 with just one penalty in the four rounds of shooting.

Scott, who is from Cumbernauld, said: “I am happy with that – it felt nice and smooth and I shot really smoothly.”

“I am a bit disappointed not to have gone clear in shooting but to be one shot away potentially from a medal is really good.”

“My Games goal was to finish in the top six in biathlon if you finish in the top six then anything can happen.”

“The credit goes to the team who get me on snow: the waxing team, picking the right skis and making life as easy for me as possible.”

“Looking ahead to the next Games I feel a medal is within my reach and I am not going to stop until I get it.”

Prestwick’s Callum Deboys finished in 18th place with a time of 44:53.8 and five shooting penalties.

Para Alpine Skiing

ParalympicsGB’s women were back out on the slopes of Yanqing for the Giant Slalom on day 7 of the Games, with Brett Wild guiding Millie Knight in the Visually Impaired event. Millie and Brett, who won Downhill bronze on day one of the Games finished in 9th place.

Livingston’s Paralympic debutant Shona Brownlee also finished 9th in the women’s Giant Slalom sitting event and enjoyed the chance to gain valuable experience against the best in the world.”

“It’s all still a bit of a blur,” she said. “I’m pleased just to have completed it, there was a little bit of nerves after I didn’t finish the Slalom on this hill the other day, so my first run was probably a little bit tentative. So I’m glad that I’ve got down and got another Paralympic race under my belt.”

“Each time I finish a run and finish a race it’s just building that confidence which makes it easier for the next time.”

“I can take so much away from this, the whole experience has been so much to learn – both in terms of the skiing, the level of competition and also the whole atmosphere. There’s definitely a lot I can learn from this and take into the future.”

Para Snowboard

Stirling’s Andy MacLeod was back in action, making his banked slalom debut at the Zhiangjiakou Genting Snow Park. Andy posted a best time of 1:16.55 to finish the competition in 20th place.

The slopes will be busy again tomorrow for Day 8 of the Games with Scot’s Neil and Andrew Simpson, Callum Deboys, Scott Meenagh and Hope Gordon all in action.