16th Jan 2016
Heather was invited by legend Austrian World Cup Winner in Alpine Ski Racing, Armin Assinger to compete in the:
Beat That Ass, Longest Ski Race in the World.
The race took place high on the sunny snow capped mountain ranges in the Southern Alps in Carinthia’s Nassfeld on Jan 16th 2106.
Heather joined more than 550 competitors to line up at the start for an exciting, but gruelling downhill race covering 25.6 km across the Carinthian mountain range.
The course covered a variety or terrain, meaning the racers had to negotiate, not only the pistes they were skiing down, but navigate around the mountain on chairlifts and gondola’s too.
The race was recognised in January 2010 by the Guinness World Book of Records as being the longest ski race in the world and reaches an altitude of 6,400meters.
Armin came up with the idea to create The World Longest Ski Race. Then, in 2010, after a lot of planning, the first race took place in Nassfeld. Armin, along with his brother, Roland won the first race in 2010 with a time of 50.38.
Heather, was the only disabled woman in the race. Wearing her prosthetic ski leg, she took on the demanding course with enthusiasm.
Heather said
“It was great fun. I would love to do it again. Moguls, ice and steep slopes are all part of the challenge. Avoiding fellow skiers is also a big part of the race. You have to have your wits about you and cannot relax for one minute. It's a fabulous buzz for any adrenalin junkie”
Heather finished the course in an astonishing 50 minutes.