SNN_April 2023 Issue_web

NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 14
Super G is a speed event we aren't able to practice back in
New Zealand so being able to put the long skis (2m) on
and get some speed is such an adrenaline rush. We also
saw a moose on the side of the road on our drive home
from Colorado which was unreal.
What has it been like travelling with the Kiwi
contingent and being in that environment?
Travelling with Kiwis is, as expected, a lot of sarcasm and
dry jokes that the Canadians often take to heart, and then
getting asked if we are Aussies or Kiwis is a daily
occurrence. We train with athletes from all over the world
including the Canadians, British and Aussies which
makes for a pretty unique training environment.
What has it meant to you to achieve a number of podium
finishes and show you can compete at this high level?
SUCCESS—Bailley with one of her third-place finishes in Canada.
It can be frustrating relying on public transport and
wheelchair access is definitely not as good as in New
Zealand which makes me appreciate it when I return
home. Every house has a basement so there are generally
stairs to get inside! Although we have a wild deer as our
backyard pet!
What are the mountains like to sit-ski on? Do you have
any favourite mountains/slopes?
The mountains here are huge in comparison to New
Zealand and have some of the most epic views. The biggest
difference would be skiing between trees and not having to
drive up a mountain access road as the snow is everywhere.
Travelling to the other side of the world has its
challenges for anyone, but doing it with a spinal cord
impairment is a bigger mission, how have you found it?
It can be frustrating when public transport isn’t accessible
and footpaths and roads aren’t cleared after a snowfall
which can make navigating a bit tricky.
But at the same time, there is usually a way to work
around it. Keeping your wheelchair well looked after to
avoid the wheels seizing up due to always being wet is a
good habit to get into and try to keep as warm as possible!
The temperatures get down to negative 30 degrees Celsius
and we skied for a few days in this weather in December.
Unfortunately, I developed superficial frostbite as I
couldn’t tell how cold my legs and feet were below the
level of my injury.
What have been some of your highlights of the tour so far?
I have been lucky enough to have travelled down to Colorado
which we spent two days driving from Calgary, Alberta to
compete at the FIS (International Ski and Snowboard
Federation) Para races. My highlight was achieving a
bronze medal in Super G in a field with Paralympians.
It has been a huge confidence boost achieving podiums
against Paralympians and that time and dedication to
this sport is paying off. It also highlights the areas I need
to strengthen to get to the next level and ultimately
achieve my goal of representing New Zealand at the next
Winter Paralympics in Milan 2026.
I am also thankful to have a job that has been flexible and
supported me in having extended leave to be over here
and train to make the most of the long Northern
Hemisphere winters and world-class resorts.
The pinnacle event for the season is the Canada / USA
Para Alpine Championships which I am looking forward
to performing what we have been putting in at training
these last few months.
The Winter Paralympics is obviously a massive goal
for you—what would it mean to qualify?
To qualify for the Winter Paralympics in 2026 and
represent New Zealand on the world stage would be a
huge achievement. Not only for myself but as a
representative for a Māori woman living with a spinal
cord injury, for my home town Winton and for all my
friends and family who have supported my dream and
believed in me.
I want people to value the Paralympics, to want to watch
and support the athletes and see how epic para-alpine
skiing is. From athletes skiing with vision impairment,
amputations and SCIs.
When you had your accident in 2016, did you think
that you’d believe that seven years later you'd be
skiing in Canada and representing New Zealand?
Before my SCI in 2016, I was oblivious to the disability
community and particularly adaptive sports. Growing up
I played a lot of team sports like netball, rugby and touch
which became quite challenging as a wheelchair user. I
had only skied a few times prior to my accident.
I was very scared to try skiing as a paraplegic with all the
unknowns on how to navigate the logistics as a
wheelchair user like: is the ski resort accessible, will I be
able to access the bathrooms, how do I get in and out of
the sit-ski, or on and off the chairlift, how do I get up once
I fall and so on.