We’re proud to announce that Heather won 3rd place among the female able-bodied skiers in the annual ‘Ski for Gold’ celebrity charity race! The race was held on the 23rd January 2017 in Schladming, deep in the snowy state of Styria in southern Austria, and was in support of training programs for young skiers who are part of the Schladming Ski Club.
The Ski for Gold charity race is presented by Generali Insurance, and aims to make the sport of skiing more available to young people. The training programme that the race helps fund includes sports activities and sportive leisure programs all year round, and is free of charge for children aged 6 and above.
Heather, who was bib number 4, was one of many notable names who tackled the giant slalom (GS) course this year, including Special Olympics ambassador Philipp Hansa, football legend Toni Polster, dancer Willi Gabalier, presenter Vera Russwurm, actress Marisa Burger, top chef Karl Obauer and actress and presenter Ulrike Kriegler. The race comprised of both novices and famous skiing greats, including Mario Matt and Manfred Pranger.
The event came just before the upcoming 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games, which are due to take place in Schladming from the 14th to 25th of March, as well as in Ramsau and Graz.
Heather also attended the world-famous Schladming Night Race the following evening; a thrilling night on the steep slopes of the Planai attended by a crowd of up to 45,000. This year the race took place on the 24th of January, marking the 20th year of the Night Race.
Events concluded with a glittering gala dinner attended by Heather and some 500 VIP guests, who enjoyed a phenomenal evening of live music in aid of the children’s ski programme charity.
The Night Race was first held during the winter season of 1996 and has since taken place every winter in Schlamding. It is part of the annual men’s Alpine Skiing World Cup calendar.
For more information, the official website for the Night Race can be found here.
