Bourne: Skiier Wins First GB Paralympics Medal

8 March 2014, 11:11 | Updated: 10 March 2014, 10:00

Jade Etherington has helped Paralympics GB win their first medal of the Sochi 2014 Paralympics.

Along with guide Caroline Powell claimed silver in the women’s Downhill, GB’s first medal in Alpine Skiing since the 1994 Games in Lillehammer and the first ever GB female Alpine Skiing medal.

Etherington and Powell were fourth on the start list and secured a time of 1:34.28.

After the race, Etherington told the British Paralympics Association website: "I can't believe what's just happened, we knew it was it was a solid run because we were shouting go, go, go and we had good, solid communication. I'm so proud and excited and I can't wait to get that medal in my hands."

Caroline Powell added: "We're happy we stuck to our plan today. We were really excited today so we knew that being excited rather than nervous usually means we will have a good run. I'm so proud of Jade and what she's done.

At the top of the hill we went away from the rest of the group and had a chat, and we said to each other 'we can do this'. And we've done it!"

Fellow ParalympicsGB athletes Kelly Gallagher and guide Charlotte Evans finished in a time of 1:37.36, placing them in 6th.

Gallagher congratulated Jade, saying: "We’re so delighted our team-mate, Jade. It's so exciting that we are getting to showcase our sport in front of so many people and hopefully it will get more people interested in adaptive skiing."