GB Snowsport Unveils New Nordic Paraski Rigs
24th November 2021
With 100 days to go until the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, GB Snowsport and Williams Advanced Engineering have unveiled new sit-ski technology. NEW
The new rigs are the result of an advanced engineering innovation process led by the Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) in-house Design Team, GB Snowsport’s Sport Sciences department, and a multi-disciplinary research team from Coventry University.
Athlete involvement in the design process means each sit-ski is tailored specifically to the individual athlete’s technique, drawing on WAE’s impressive track record of supporting British Paralympic efforts since the Summer Games in 2016.
The rigs’ design and materials have further benefited from the input of experts from Coventry University, BAE Systems, and Formaplex.
“With just 100 days to go until the Paralympic Winter Games get underway in Beijing, I’m delighted that we can reveal the results of this exciting partnership between GB Snowsport and Williams Advanced Engineering,” said GB Snowsport Chief Executive, Vicky Gosling.
“By working with Williams Advanced Engineering, we are ensuring our Para Nordic athletes will benefit from access to some of the country’s leading innovation experts, providing the team with the very best chance of success throughout the season and into the Paralympic Winter Games.”
GB Para Nordic. Image © Tom Pilston
The new sit-skis will be used by the four-man Para Nordic World Cup squad, Steve Arnold, Callum Deboys, Scott Meenagh, and Steve Thomas, throughout the 2021/22 season.
“We are delighted to be involved in this project and using our experience in design and manufacture, to support some of the country’s leading athletes in their preparations for the forthcoming Paralympic Winter Games,” said the Technical Director at Williams Advanced Engineering, Paul McNamara.
“During the course of the programme we have seen some significant progress, and we look forward to translating this into positive gains in Beijing.”
The Para Nordic season gets underway in Canmore, Canada, on 3rd December.
The World Para Snow Sports Championships following in Lillehammer from 8th-23rd January 2022.
Then its the XIII Paralympic Winter Games which begin in Beijing, China, on Friday 4th March 2022.
About GB Snowsport
GB Snowsport manage and develop the programme to put British World Class skiers and snowboarders onto World Cup Podiums and win Olympic and Paralympic medals.
Find out more about GB Snowsport at www.gbsnowsport.com, and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
About Williams Advanced Engineering
Williams Advanced Engineering is a technology and engineering services business, providing world class technical innovation, engineering, testing, and manufacturing services to deliver energy efficient performance.
