Visually impaired ski racing is tough. Not only do you have to learn how to ski race, but there’s a whole other level of work that needs to happen. Some people think disabled sport is somehow ‘less than’ able bodied sport. I think that disabled sport is more extreme than able bodied sport. It takes huge courage to even start and the below are some of the reasons why it' I just so challenging.

We didn’t know whether James would be reclassified, despite having ample evidence that he was eligible to be classified with medical tests, genetic tests and eye tests. We didn’t trust the system which had so spectacularly failed us. We didn’t know when James would get the opportunity to be reclassified. And we didn’t know whether it was worth hemorrhaging tens of thousands of pounds to pay for said ski training without a guarantee we could ever race again.

Many people ask how the para alpine ski races work. To be honest, until a couple of years ago I had no idea myself! The following is a beginner’s guide to the para alpine racing world, with no previous experience necessary. Racers who compete in World Para Alpine Ski races have to undergo a rigorous classification process by the International Paralympic Committee. There are three types of skiers; visually impaired; standing and sitting.

I’m often asked how I’ve managed to do it all. Pursuing my dream (ski racing with my sight impaired husband for Great Britain) while also holding down a data analysis day job was extremely difficult until very recently. I was working full time, yet also expected to spend 100 days on snow training with the British Parasnowsport team. It just wasn’t possible. However, after making some — quite radical — changes, I’ve managed to sculpt my life into a version which is the best of both worlds, without sacrificing anything.

The alarm goes off at 6am and I snooze until James hollers that breakfast is on the table. I’m not a morning person and my first thought is how much I hate having to get up. I love ski racing but hate the early starts! I mentally run through all the other sports I could have done that don’t require early starts so much, but within a couple of minutes I acknowledge that nothing can beat spending time in the mountains. And getting up early means we catch the best snow of the day. As much as I hate to admit it, getting up before the sun is worth it.