Sport news story published on BBC Sport website 22nd May 2008 - linkBlind skier fails in record bid
A disabled speed skier from Kent has failed in his attempt to beat his own indoor speed skiing world record.
Kevin Alderton, from Dartford, was hoping to better the record of 56.3mph he set at the Landgraaf Snowworld slope in the Netherlands in 2006.
But competing at the same venue on 19 May, Alderton could only manage 50.1 mph, blaming poor snow conditions for the drop in performance.
Alderton lost his sight when he was attacked outside a London pub in 1988.
"I had unfortunately waxed with a very high fluoride wax, hoping that there would still be enough water left in the snow – but it was more like glue than running on water," he said.
Alderton will return to Landgraaf again in September for another attempt at his record, before heading back to the Alps to compete alongside able-bodied skiers in the Speed Skiing World Cup.
"I can compete on an even keel which is fantastic," he said.
"It just shows that there is no barrier to my disability and I am capable of beating the guys that have been doing this for a while.”
Alderton also holds the outdoor blind skiing speed record, set at 100.94 mph in the resort of Les Arcs, France in April 2006.
The skier lost his sight after stepping in to defend a woman who was being attacked outside an Islington pub.
But his act of bravery backfired and resulted in him being assaulted, leaving him with only 4% of his vision.
A disabled speed skier from Kent has failed in his attempt to beat his own indoor speed skiing world record.
Kevin Alderton, from Dartford, was hoping to better the record of 56.3mph he set at the Landgraaf Snowworld slope in the Netherlands in 2006.
But competing at the same venue on 19 May, Alderton could only manage 50.1 mph, blaming poor snow conditions for the drop in performance.
Alderton lost his sight when he was attacked outside a London pub in 1988.
"I had unfortunately waxed with a very high fluoride wax, hoping that there would still be enough water left in the snow – but it was more like glue than running on water," he said.
Alderton will return to Landgraaf again in September for another attempt at his record, before heading back to the Alps to compete alongside able-bodied skiers in the Speed Skiing World Cup.
"I can compete on an even keel which is fantastic," he said.
"It just shows that there is no barrier to my disability and I am capable of beating the guys that have been doing this for a while.”
Alderton also holds the outdoor blind skiing speed record, set at 100.94 mph in the resort of Les Arcs, France in April 2006.
The skier lost his sight after stepping in to defend a woman who was being attacked outside an Islington pub.
But his act of bravery backfired and resulted in him being assaulted, leaving him with only 4% of his vision.
