Skeels-Piggins sets sights on super-G medal

TALAN Skeels-Piggins goes into today's Paralympic alpine skiing super-G event inspired to succeed by his fellow competitors.

To say the 39-year-old from Bath is happy to be at the 2010 Winter Games is putting it mildly but Skeels-Piggins, left paraplegic after being hit by a car whilst riding a motorcycle, has serious hopes of wining a medal at his third event down the Whistler Creekside run. He placed 32nd in the slalom on Sunday and 15th in the giant slalom but has much higher expectations for the super-G, a hybrid event between the downhill and giant slalom, thanks to the inspiration he has received from his rivals.

"It just shows you what people can do, from all walks of life, whether or not you're a double- leg amputee, you were born with spina bifida or whatever, it's a fantastic sport and big equaliser," Skeels-Piggins said.

The British monoskier, who will be joined in the field by ParalympicsGB team-mates Sean Rose and Russell Docker, believes he has what it takes to compete with the best in the event. "In qualifying for the super-G I won two bronze medals and in both of those races I made quite big mistakes," Skeels-Piggins said. "So I know I can ski at least two or three seconds faster than what I did and looking at how those people who won it are skiing I don't see why I can't get myself on the podium."