Find local news in Kent

Home   Kent   Sport   Article

Teenage Canterbury skier Millie Knight turns attention to challenging for medals at 2018 after memorable debut at Winter Paralympics in Sochi

00:00, 20 March 2014

updated: 09:04, 20 March 2014

Millie Knight
Millie Knight

After an unforgettable Winter Paralympics debut, teenage Canterbury skier Millie Knight has turned her attention to challenging for medals in South Korea in four years time.

The 15-year-old King’s School pupil, from Harbledown, became the youngest GB Winter Paralympian in history as she claimed fifth place in the visually-impaired slalom in Rosa Khutor along with guide Rachael Ferrier and followed it up with fifth in the giant slalom on Sunday morning - the first time she had ever raced in the event competitively.

The pair safely navigated two runs down the testing course and finished in a combined time of 3mins 7.34secs to finish ahead of GB teammates and Sochi medal winners Jade Etherington and Kelly Gallagher, whose guide is Chatham’s Charlotte Evans.

Knight said: “It was really good fun, both runs went really well. We were just happy to get down and negotiate the course and so getting top five is a great achievement for us.”

With the 2018 games in Pyeongchang the long-term goal for Knight, she added: “I think moving ahead to the next four years I can take confidence from knowing that I can do it here at the age of 15, so why can’t I do better given more time?

“Hopefully I can challenge for medals, I’d like to think I can.”

Knight described her Sochi experience - which began with her carrying the Union Flag at the Opening Ceremony - as ‘really amazing.’

She added: “Everything has been a complete shock to me. I was not even expecting to be picked for the team so being chosen as the flagbearer was truly incredible. It’s been my dream since I was tiny.”

Knight is supported by SportsAid. To support young athletes like Millie with SportsAid, call the charity on 020 7273 1975.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More