Tim Farr's Paralympic Dream

Great Britain enjoyed some success at the Winter Olympics when Amy Williams became the first British individual to win gold for 30 years. Tim Farr, a member of the British Disabled Ski Team hopes to return to his home town of London with his own personal success story. 

This may not come in the form of a medal for the 27 year-old from Twickenham, for him simply competing in Vancouver is an achievement as it is just five years since he had the accident which left him wheelchair bound.

While skiing with friends on the French slopes, Farr attempted a jump which changed the course of his life. “I went to do this jump and didn’t land it too well. I ended up shattering one of my vertebrae which meant I was paralysed from the waist down,” Farr explains. “I immediately started thinking about how serious it might be, then in the hospital in Grenoble I was told that I would never walk again.”

This devastating news did not stop Farr from deciding that one day he would find himself back on the slopes. Less than a year after the accident, while still completing his degree in Politics and Sociology at Exeter University, Farr was again skiing, this time using a specially designed sit-ski.

“To be back skiing within a year of breaking my back was a great experience for me as it made me realise what I could do. I met a couple of the guys from the British Disabled Ski Team, who are actually out here with me. They then fed the idea to me and the following year after finishing university in 2006, I went out with the team to have a trial and they invited me to join the development squad.”

For the following four years Farr competed in tournaments across Europe with the hope of one day taking part in the Paralympics. Yet, he was always aware that the Vancouver Games could come too soon and after a disappointing 2009 he was unsure of whether he had done enough to join the GB Team.

After some early season improvements his dream became a reality when he was selected to be part of the British Paralympic Team. “To be selected was a great experience but once I arrived it was even more amazing,” Farr describes excitedly. “It’s everything you could imagine, hearing the roar of the crowds when we first arrived and then going out for the first run was simply amazing. I had a few nerves but the support has been brilliant, we have a great support staff with us and I have a lot of family and friends out here as well.”

In his first competitive race in the Slalom, Farr finished in 20th position on a tricky course in tough conditions. It was a result that pleased one of the least experienced members of the GB Team. “I think I am ranked about 50th in the world so I’m punching above my weight. It was a good result in really tough conditions and the competition was pretty fierce so I was over the moon with the result.”

Unfortunately in his second event, the Giant Slalom, Farr was disqualified after leaving his gate early. However, before the result was announced Farr had placed in 15th position, a fact that has given him plenty of encouragement.

“I was so focused on getting down the hill that I left the gate a little early, it was a tight call but it doesn’t affect the time and I know in my heart where I came so no one can take that away from me, well only on paper,” jokes Farr. “It was a great experience and I know that I have it in me, so I am looking forward to building on that over the next four years to Sochi. Hopefully by then I will have learnt to count and will get out of the start blocks at the right time.”

Taking part in the next Paralympics in Sochi, Russia is Farr’s next objective and his thoughts have already turned to 2014. “The road to Sochi starts here, that’s the next aim but before that we have competitions and the World Championships next year in Italy. We will follow the race circuit and try to build on the momentum that we have had leading up to these games. Hopefully we can thrive on that and continue improving.”

This desire to constantly improve and push the boundaries extends into Farr’s life away from the snow. Being confined to a wheelchair does not stop him from being involved in other sporting activities. He regularly water-skis and has raised money for the British Ski Team by completing a number of half marathons.

“I would love to do the London marathon but at the moment skiing takes preference, plus it’s always at the end of the season and requires a different type of fitness. I think that the New York marathon is just before the start of the season which might be the next challenge.”

Farr hopes his story can be an inspiration to anyone who has suffered a similar injury and admits that before his accident he never dreamed he would one day be representing his country. “Before the accident I was never going to be able to become an Olympic skier, but it can open other doors, you just have to grab it with both hands.”

For more information on ParalympicsGB please visit www.paralympics.org.uk/default.asp