Brit's tire enquiry leads to Winter Paralympics sponsorship

ERJ staff report (BC)

Leamington Spa, UK – There was an unexpected bonus when a Warwick paralympian enquired about a set of Bridgestone winter tires. The tire maker has joined the group of sponsors backing her bid to compete in the Winter Paralympics next year in Sochi, Russia.

Anna Turney, aged 34, hopes to represent Great Britain in a number of alpine skiing events at Sochi.

She said: “I needed some winter tires at the start of the year and with Bridgestone being so local, I made an enquiry. Before we knew it, we were talking about my plans for the Winter Paralympics, so I’m glad I got in touch.”

Turney suffered a spinal injury while snowboarding in 2006. She commented: “I became paralysed doing snowsports and I suppose I will always be nervous, but I decided a long time ago that being nervous is a good thing. I came sixth at the Vancouver Games in 2010 and that was an amazing experience.

“I would be delighted to do well in Russia. Winning a medal would be my absolute dream, although the team has not yet been selected and we can’t qualify until August.

“The course in Russia is very tough. It is steep and really ‘high risk,’ but I think I will take more educated risks than I did before and plan what I want to do a bit better.”

Turney is undertaking a bespoke strength and fitness indoor programme ahead of next year’s Winter Paralympics, with training in Austria and New Zealand to follow later in the year.

This is an external link and should open in a new window. If the window does not appear, please check your pop-up blocking software. ERJ is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Further information on Anna Turney