It’s not all downhill for skier Lucy

Lucy Best (20) from Lisburn won her two events - Intermediate Giant Slalom, Division 2 and Intermediate Slalom, Division 3 at the Games in Kilternan, Co. Dublin last Saturday.

Lucy has been involved with Special Olympics for two years and skies with Ski-Ability at the Craigavon Ski Centre. She previously competed at the Ulster Region Ski event in 2011 where she won two silver medals.

Lucy, along with her eight Team Ulster teammates who won a total of 12 medals between them, are setting their sights on a place at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in South Korea next year following their blazing performance at the Ireland Winter Games in Kilternan last weekend.

Some 21 athletes from across the island of Ireland - including nine from Ulster - came together to compete in the Alpine Skiing event at the 2012 Special Olympics Ireland Winter Games. 

In addition to Lucy’s success, a further two gold medals were clinched by each of the following Ulster skiers - Jonathon Lyness (11) from Dollingstown, Co. Down in the Alpine Novice Slalom and Alpine Novice Giant Slalom (both Division 4); Sean McCartan (11) from Carryduff, Co. Down (Intermediate Slalom and Giant Slalom, Division 1); Ryan Hill (34) from Richill, Co. Armagh (Intermediate Giant Slalom, and Intermediate Slalom, Division 2).

The nine Ulster athletes who competed at the Special Olympics Ireland Winter Games on Saturday will now have a chance to join Team Ireland for a chance to compete at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in South Korea in 2013.

Once selected, the Team Ireland will begin preparations for the Special Olympics World Winter Games in South Korea which are set to be held from January 26 to February 6, 2013. The 2013 games will be the 10th Special Olympics World Winter Games and will bring together over 3,300 of the world’s finest athletes from 112 countries across the globe.

Today (Friday) Special Olympics Ulster holds its Annual Collection Day. Part of the wider Special Olympics Ireland Collection Day, which aims to raise a million across the island of Ireland, vital funds raised on the day will go towards supporting athletes like Jonathon and his peers on the Special Olympics Ulster Ski Team.

Shaun Cassidy, regional director, Special Olympics Ulster added:

“We are so proud of the achievements of our Ulster athletes at the Special Olympics Ireland Winter Games and wish them all of the luck for the selection process to represent Team Ireland at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in South Korea next year.

“Special Olympics Ulster currently supports over 2,043 athletes in Ulster, with year-round activities in 97 clubs across the region. Our Annual Collection Day is the biggest day in our fundraising calendar. With the support of volunteers in towns and cities across Northern Ireland, we will raise vital funds that will allow us to continue to develop the Special Olympics programme across Ulster and give athletes the opportunity to take part in competitions like the World Winter Games in 2013.”