Long Term Skier Development (LTSD) for Para-Alpine Ski Racing

Although the Para-athlete goes through the majority of similar LTSD factors, as presented in AIM 2, there are some specific differences that change the LTSD process for PARA-athletes. This section will focus on these unique elements, while the reader is encouraged to make reference to AIM 2 for the balance of LTSD elements that pertain to all athletes, both Para and able-bodied.

Differences that change the LTSD process for Para-athletes include the following considerations (modified from No Accidental Champions, page 15):

•    Para-athletes may have been born with a disability (congenital disability) or may have acquired a disability later in life.
•    Children with a congenital disability may not have the same opportunity to learn FUNdamental movement skills because they do not always have the same opportunities for vigorous, physical play during their early years (Active Start). This is sometimes due to long periods of hospitalization and the lack of suitable rehabilitation and physical education programs, but may also be due to parents or caregivers being overly protective, a situation that can also occur with an acquired disability.
•    Para-athletes may operate in a sport environment in which there are participants not found in able-bodied sport. For example, skiers who are blind need sighted guides and competitive skiing requires officials who determine the classification or division of competition into which the athlete best fits to ensure fairness of competition. Failure of the sport system to develop these supporting roles will have a long-term negative impact on athlete development and the competition experience.
•    Many Para-athletes in alpine skiing require equipment adapted to take full advantage of their athletic ability and to minimize the sport-performance impact of their disability. This includes sit-skis and outriggers, which will be dealt with later in this document.
•    Because there may be only a few other Para-athletes with the same type and/or level of disability, access to appropriate competitive experiences may be difficult.
•    Some Para-athletes, especially at the developing levels, require personal support for access to venues and equipment not found in able-bodied sport.

Considering the aforementioned differences, the holistic development of a Para-athlete requires two additional stages to the able-bodied LTSD progression. These stages are called Awareness and First Contact/Recruitment. Although significant to all Para-athletes, these two additional stages are of particular importance for individuals with an acquired disability who, prior to injury or illness, may not have had contact with, nor knowledge of Para-sport (No Accidental Champions, page 16).

Following the acquisition of a disability, a significant period of transition and life change occurs for most individuals. Activities in which they were previously engaged may no longer be open to them in the same form, and their awareness of sport opportunities, including alpine skiing, that may still be available to them may be limited. The purpose of the Awareness and First Contact/Recruitment stages are to primarily inform individuals of the opportunities available to them in sport. In the case of PARA-AIM 2, these two stages are intended to build a foundation through which the individual can pursue competitive alpine skiing from an entry level through to a high performance capability should they so choose. Ultimately, the goal is to involve individuals in Para-alpine sport as a life sport, be it at a recreational or competitive level.