Fred Warburton can remember the exact date of his first official ski race: 22 February, 2025.
Little more than a year later, he can call himself a Paralympian, having competed in his first event at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games.
Having previously dabbled in skiing as a tourist, the 31-year-old’s journey to the Games started out as a wish “just to impress” his Italian father-in-law.
It has led him to a seventh-place finish in Saturday’s downhill, racing with his guide James Hannan down the iconic Olympia delle Tofane piste, with more events to follow over the coming days.
“I would never have thought this would be possible five or six years ago, I didn’t know where my life was going, I didn’t have a clue on what was going to happen,” said Warburton, who was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative eye condition, about seven years ago.
“I’m not much of a poker player, but you’ve got to play the hand you’re dealt.
“I originally started skiing more seriously just to impress my father-in-law. He ski raced back in the day.
“He’s watching back home and he’s happy, he’s coming out to watch the Super G and they’re all super proud of me.”
