After two years of COVID-enforced uncertainty, not to mention a serious skiing injury in July, Winter Paralympics hopeful Josh Hanlon has jetted to Europe in the hope of winning a spot in the Australian team for next year's Games.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The former footballer turned sit-skier left with the Australian team, headed for the ski fields in preparation for the Games which begin in March.
Qualification will be no picnic but there's a path mapped out to hopefully accrue enough points in events to secure his own spot on the Australian Paralympic team for Beijing 2022.
"I'm off to Europe to continue my skiing journey and hopefully get a gig or two at the Paralympics," Hanlon posted before departure.
"Just gotta keep on making my own luck now."
Hanlon will compete in the technical disciplines of slalom and giant slalom disciplines, but not the speed disciplines (downhill, Super G or super combined).
He's considered a very good chance of making his way on to the team.
Hanlon's drive to become a world class sit-skier really kicked off two years ago when he headed from Weethalle to the United States for a northern winter.
But no sooner had he mapped out a long range plan than the pandemic hit, grounding any trips overseas for a good 18 months.
And this year, his training in Australia has been on hold after fracturing bones in his back in a high-speed crash at Blue Cow, near Perisher, in July.
But the dream remains alive, even if it means his family will be on edge after putting him on the plane in Sydney.
"Definitely, even more so because of that (crash)," mum Leanne said.
"But we're so excited for him. This is what he wants to do and you just want him to do the best he can.
"You just hope and pray that he doesn't stack it again!"
A tough road remains ahead, given the limited training opportunities in the last year for the 24-year-old who first tried the sport only three years ago.
Hanlon hasn't been in his new sit-ski yet and a gruelling schedule awaits. He was due to land in Germany on Friday afternoon Australian time, before driving straight in to Austria for five days of training prior to the first Para Alpine skiing event.
If he doesn't accrue enough points before Christmas, there's the possibility of heading back to the USA in the New Year where there are more competitions which can count towards potential qualification.
Snow Australia told The Daily Advertiser 12 months ago that the Para Program coaches had been impressed with Hanlon's quick progress but COVID put a halt to last year's Europe plan.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters