TWO members of a skiing club formed less than two years ago have been selected to represent Great Britain in the Special Olympics World Winter Games, being held in Nagano, Japan, from the end of next February.

The Special Olympics South-East Club trains at Bromley Ski Centre, in Sandy Lane, St Paul's Cray, under the expert tuition of Judy Way.

Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition for people aged eight and older with learning difficulties.

Special Olympics Inc. was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of the late American president John F. Kennedy, who believed the Olympic ideals of sport could give confidence and new hope to people with learning difficulties, as well as to those who cared for them.

It now reaches more than one million athletes in 153 counties worldwide. Special Olympics GB was established in 1978, and there are now more than 100 groups involving more than 5,000 athletes around the UK.

It was Judy's initiative that set up the local club and for two of her students to have been picked for the World Games in such a short space of time is a phenomenal achievement.

Lissadell Lynch, who is 31, and 19-year-old Owain Taylor are the dynamic duo who will be part of a 12-strong British squad in Japan.

So far, they have been competing at Special Oympics regional race days, as well as London and South-East Regional Ski Association events and the National Championships with considerable success.

In the latter event, held at Lecht in Inverness earlier this year, Owain swept the board by winning golds in each of his three events, while Lissadell took gold in the downhill, as well as silvers in both slaloms.

It was these superb efforts that earned them their call up for the British team for Japan.

Judy said: "We are extremely proud of Lissadell and Owain achieving international recognition.

"We nearly had a third member, Katrina Baxter picked for Japan as well. She has been upgraded to the advanced level which she is, naturally, absolutely thrilled about.

"However, at 13 years of age she is presently too young for this level of world competition, although she has been designated as a reserve.

"In four years time, when the next world games are held, she should be bigger and stronger.

"Strength and weight are key factors in skiing, and at the moment she is just too light.

But she is a smashing skier and one of our brightest prospects."

To be selected for the British team for World Games, skiers had to compete first in the National Championships.

They could only achieve qualifying for that after competing in a designated number of regional events.

Lissadell and Owain have had to work extremely hard to get this far.

They will both compete in the intermediate class in the downhill, slalom and giant slalom races in Nagano.

The great thing about these games is that all skiers are given a chance by being placed into one of three classes advanced, intermediate or novice unlike the Olympics, where elite perfomers compete against many inferior rivals.

Judy then revealed the master stroke that has helped propel Lissadell and Dwain on to the international scene.

She added: "A friend recommended Liam Devanney to me. He lives locally and is a specialist racing coach.

"Six of our club skiers are benefiting from his expertise, which is considerable. He has a marvellous way of keeping their interest high, which can be very difficult at times for those with learning difficulties."

The 12 British athletes going to Japan will be training at Tamworth Snowdrome, in Birmingham, towards the end of next month, before going to Ramsau, in Austria, for a special training camp in December.



Can you back their glory bid?

Judy revealed the cost of funding Owain and Lissadell's trip to Japan is high.

She said: "I am hoping to raise £3,000 to help towards the cost of this very exciting challenge for Lissadell and Owain.

"I would be delighted to hear from any News Shopper readers or local firms who feel able to sponsor them."

If you would like to help, you should write to: Judy Way, 8 Newnhams Close, Bickley, Kent, BR1 2HW, or by calling her 020 8467 1178. Cheques should be made payable to: "Special Olympics Bromley Group".

You should also contact Judy if you require more details of the Uphill Ski Club, which she runs in unison with the Special Olympics group.