22-Year-Old Brit Wins Silver On First Day Of Sochi Paralympics

22-year-old Jade Etherington came second in the visually-impaired downhill race

jade etherington2

by Rebecca Holman |
Published on

One day in the Sochi Paralympics are off to the storming start, with a British silver on the first day of the games, courtesy of 22-year-old Jade Etherington and her guide Caroline Powell, who came second in the visually impaired downhill race.

Etherington, from Lincoln, won Brtain’s first medal on the slopes in 20 years. Her silver also means that less than one day in we've already exceeded our medal haul from the Vancouver Paralympics, four years ago. Whoop!

Etherington, who was born glaucoma and a genetic eye condition called Axenfeld Syndrome, crashed into the hoardings after she’s crossed the line, but after a few moments got back on her feet. ‘We're really happy and I am delighted with the silver medal, I don't think it's sunk in yet,’ she told BBC Sport.

‘We knew going down that it was a solid run, despite my little jump and crash at the end, but I think I was just pleased to get down and it is great to have that confidence boost for the rest of the competition.

‘We've had so much support from everyone, especially our parents and family, and we just want to thank them.’

The start of things to come? We certainly hope so…

Follow Rebecca on Twitter @rebecca_hol

Pictures: Getty

This article originally appeared on The Debrief.

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