12 March 2022
Hat-trick eludes Fitzpatrick as Wild announces retirement
Two-time Beijing 2022 medallist Menna Fitzpatrick just missed out on completing a hat trick of podium finishes on the final day of the women’s Alpine ski events, finishing fourth in the Vision Impaired Slalom.
The 23-year-old clocked 1:36.76, less than half a second off bronze medallist Alexandra Rexova of Slovakia, to round off a superb Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games which included Super-G silver and Super Combined bronze medals alongside guide Gary Smith.
“I’m definitely pleased with how I skied today, just a few little mistakes on the first run, but we made up for it on the second. Sadly it wasn’t quite enough to get on the podium, but the girls are skiing really well, so well done for what they did,” said Menna, who won gold in the event four years ago in Pyeongchang.
To come here and have nine of us who are really in the mix and to have a whole field of 15 is really good – it just shows how things have progressed over the last four years.
“To come here and have nine of us who are really in the mix and to have a whole field of 15 is really good – it just shows how things have progressed over the last four years. Everyone is really pushing on the sport which is great to see. The whole experience has just been amazing.”
For guide Gary, who stepped in for Katie Guest who contracted COVID just before the Games got underway, the Games have been an experience he will cherish forever.
“It’s been an unbelievable Paralympic Games and I’m so proud of Menna. These two weeks have been pretty special and it’s two weeks I won’t forget.
“It’s really sad that Katie couldn’t come, and without her we wouldn’t have achieved what we have out here, but hopefully people realise I’m not new to this – for me it’s pretty seamless to ski in front of Menna, I knew what she could do and I’m just glad we get to go home with a couple of medals.”
End of an era: The final Wild x Knight in Beijing
Downhill bronze medallist Millie Knight, who finished in eighth place clocking 1:41.47 alongside guide Brett Wild, said:
“I’m so happy with that slalom ski, it’s not our strongest event but I really enjoy it. So to put down that performance today I couldn’t have hoped for anything better.”
Arriving at the Games with little expectations and just a year after suffering serious concussion in a crash on the slopes, the 23-year-old now believes she can return home in a positive state of mind.
“We’ve been through so much together and concussions have filled my life a little bit for the last couple of years, so it’s amazing that we’ve come away from these Games with a medal. It’s so much more than we thought we could ever achieve.
“I didn’t think we would win any medal here at all, so to win a bronze in the Downhill – the event which kind of scares me the most – I’m chuffed to bits.”
He’s amazing and I don’t know what I’m going to do without him. It’s been more than just a professional partnership, Brett’s one of my best friends and to go through this with him is very special
The Slalom also marked the end of Brett’s career as a guide. After a skiing partnership with Millie that began in 2016, the Scot plans to return to his career in the Navy and begin Officer training.
“It’s been such a huge part of my life for the last seven years, and such an amazing, enjoyable experience. It’s nothing short of unbelievable what we have achieved in such a short time, it’s going to be challenging moving on.” he said.
Reflecting on their final race together, Millie added:
“He’s amazing and I don’t know what I’m going to do without him. It’s been more than just a professional partnership, Brett’s one of my best friends and to go through this with him is very special. I’m extremely grateful to him and to the Royal Navy for releasing him, and also to the National Lottery and UK Sport for enabling me to continue and train as hard as we do.”
Brownlee: "I can't quite believe what I’ve achieved"
Shona Brownlee meanwhile rounded off her debut Paralympic Games with a ninth place finish in the women’s Slalom Sitting event.
The 42-year-old recovered strongly after falling in her first run, regaining her composure to finish the course and ensure a second outing in the afternoon.
“When I knew I was falling, the only thought in my head was I’m not giving up,” she explained.
“I didn’t come here to give up at the fourth gate, I’m here for the experience and the only way to do that was to get the second run.
“It’s just been an incredible experience - pretty terrifying at times, so to come out here and get three finishes under my belt – it feels pretty good.”
Brownlee only began skiing internationally in 2019 and believes the experience she has gained in Beijing will stand her in great stead for the future.
“I can’t quite believe what I’ve achieved - looking back, this time last year I was so far from qualifying – even being here seems like a pipe dream. This just cements in my head that I’m still at the start of my journey. It makes me more determined – I’m not finished.”
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