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What happens when the International Paralympic Committee takes away your race licence

The Luetchfords

Jan 6, 2020
8 min

What happens when the International Paralympic Committee takes away your race licence

I wish I didn’t know about this. I truly don’t. But unfortunately, last November, the seemingly impossible happened. The International Paralympic Committee stripped my severely sight impaired husband (the new term for technically ‘blind’ in the UK) of his para alpine ski racing licence, stating that he could suddenly ‘see’ too well. I’m not going to go into the reasons here as to why this is wrong; why the test was not indicative of his sight; why this is outrageously incorre

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The Luetchfords

Feb 3, 2019
4 min

Disabled ski racing: how it works

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. Visually impaired skiers must ski with

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The Luetchfords

Feb 3, 2019
7 min

Guiding a visually impaired ski racer: daily life in the mountains

As a guide for a visually impaired ski racer, I have to train just as hard as my athlete. In my case, my athlete is also my husband (James). Together, we represent Great Britain in the World Para Alpine Ski races (Slalom and Giant Slalom) and Europa Cup for Slalom. Guides ski in front of their visually impaired athletes, verbally guiding them down the race course. Guides have to be able to ski as fast or faster than their athletes to win, which is more challenging when your a

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