Owen picks up pace for Paralympic dream

Owen Pick’s Paralympic dream is carving ever closer into view as the former Royal Anglian closes in on bringing home a medal.

The 25-year-old, who only took up snowboarding five years ago, will lead the British charge for glory in the boardercross and banked slalom disciplines at the Winter Paralympics, competing in the 2018 Games in South Korea on 12 and 16 March. “To go to the Paralympics having jumped on a board for the first time five years ago in a country where there’s no snow is just wow!” Says Owen.

Blesma-sponsored Owen, who had a below-knee amputation of his right leg after stepping on an IED in Afghanistan as a 19-year-old, has risen up the rankings after securing a silver medal in a World Championship event last year as well as picking up bronze in the recent banked slalom Para Snowboard World Cup Final in Canada.

“I’ve done all I can now. It is ridiculously tight at the top with a second separating the first five riders,” said Owen. “It’ll be anyone’s on the day, but that means if you mess up in the tiniest way you’ll miss out on a medal!”

To go to the Paralympics having jumped on a board for the first time five years ago in a country where there’s no snow would be just wow!

“I hope it boosts the adaptive snowboard scene in the UK. It would be cool to inspire anybody, not just people with disability, to realise that there’s nothing to stop you unless you let it. I’m working hard and know this is an amazing opportunity for me."

I can’t thank Blesma enough for taking me on that first ski trip and for supporting me along the way.