Back To NewsDespite missing the season-ending World Cup in Canada currently underway, two-time Paralympian Melissa Perrine still has reason to celebrate after finishing second in the season’s overall ranking in the women’s vision impaired Slalom.
Perrine’s podium finish not only highlights her consistency and form, it comes as a welcome confident boost exactly one month out from the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Games, where she will search for first Paralympic medal at her third Paralympic Games.
Hailing from Mittagong in the Southern Highlands of NSW, Perrine won a total of five medals throughout the World Cup season, including two gold and one bronze medal in the slalom with her sighted guide Christian Geiger.
“I’ve been placing a lot of my focus in training on slalom, and it’s good to see the culmination of all of our work come together in our results,” said Perrine.
“I’ve been feeling really good about my racing, and this season has given me a good base to see where I need to go and what I need to do next.”
Having bounced back to supreme form after taking part of the 2016/17 season off to complete her university degree in physiotherapy, Perrine says this is the first season of her career she has been able to focus solely on her craft, which in turn has given her the belief she can win break through to reach her first Paralympic podium.
“This season has made me more confident, particularly ahead of PyeongChang, in searching for the perfect run, and it’s great to have that confidence with a month to go.
“Having nothing else on aside from training and competing has also given me the ability to focus my energy and effort solely on skiing.
After a disappointing Sochi campaign where she crashed in her the Downhill while in silver medal position and disqualified from the Super G, the 29-year-old will spend the final few weeks before the Games in Colorado to put the finishing touches on her preparations in the hope of achieving her goal that has been more than 10 years in the making.
“The goal now is Paralympic medals. And if I can transfer my training to competition when it matters, then there is no reason I won’t do well.”
The Australian Paralympic Committee will announce the announce the 15 athletes selected to the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games on February 20th. The Games begin on Friday, 9 March.
By APC Media
Posted: 9/2/2018
