Scottish Disability Sport Week - An Interview with Shona Brownlee
To celebrate Scottish Disability Sport Week - we've been talking to Shona Brownlee a para-alpine skier and Paralympian. She has won 2 medals at World Champs and represented ParalympicsGB at the Winter Paralympics in Beijing 2022. We asked Shona some questions about her career and some more light-hearted ones!
1. What inspired you to pursue your sport at a high level?
I got into sport completely by accident and it was never really an intention to compete at a high level - it just sort of happened!
2. What’s the biggest mental challenge you face in competition, and how do you overcome it?
Biggest mental challenge is imposter syndrome, as a relative newcomer to sport, it's easy to think I don't belong or am not good enough. I'm still working on figuring out how to overcome that one!
3. What’s the most underrated aspect of training for your discipline?
Most underrated aspect of training is probably balance- balance is really important when trying to stay upright on only 1 ski!
4. If you had to describe your sport to someone who’s never seen snow before, how would you do it?
I ski in a sitski which is basically a bucket seat mounted onto a metal frame which clips into a single regular ski. I also have 2 hand-held outriggers (a bit like ski poles with mini skis on the end) which help with balance and stability. The aim is to get down a (usually very steep and icy!) mountain, zigzagging round a course of gates on the way, as fast as possible.
5. What’s the wildest or most unexpected thing that’s happened to you on the slopes?
The most unexpected thing was when I was racing in Colorado and a moose managed to get through the fencing and was running loose on the race course!
6. If you could change one rule or aspect of your sport, what would it be?7. What’s your go-to excuse when you totally mess up a run/lap?
I would change a rule in slalom racing to allow stubbies (shorter gates) for sitskiers so we are not constantly being hit round the head or face by the full length gates!
7. What’s your go-to excuse when you totally mess up a run/lap?
I don't really have a go-to excuse - I know it's me that messes up!
8. If you could add one event to the Winter Olympics, what would it be?
I think more para ice sports should be included in the Paralympics. There are World Cups in para Bobsleigh so why can't this be an official Paralympic event, or para Skeleton, para luge etc.
9. If you could compete in any other winter sport for a day, which would it be and why?
I'd like to give Bobsleigh a go - not exactly sure why I want to be hurtling down a track at crazy speeds in a metal tube, but it just looks like fun!