Lines set for Korea (From Redditch Advertiser)

Lines set for Korea

6:00pm Wednesday 19th September 2012 in Sport

REDDITCH skier Clare Lines is set for an Asian adventure after being selected for the Special Olympics Great Britain team to compete in in South Korea.

The 28-year-old is part of a seven-strong squad who will be in action in the South Korean county of PyeongChang at the Special Olympics World Winter Games.

She was selected from 73 skiers with learning disabilities, who qualified at the National Alpine Ski Championships in Pila, Italy, earlier this year.

Although she has never been to Asia, Lines is excited to compete at the Games, and hopes to bring home a medal.

The tournament will have more than 100 nations participate, with 2,800 athletes with intellectual disabilities taking part between January 26 to February 6.

Her father, Alan Lines, said: “I’m over the moon and very proud.

“I hope she has a great time and experience — and if she wins a medal that will only be a bonus.”

Lines strapped on her first pair of skis when she was only six and quickly discovered a passion and aptitude for skiing.

She trains regularly at the Ackers Ski Slope in Birmingham, and her hard work paid off at the nationals, where she won one gold and bronze medals to qualify.

She has won many medals at the National Summer and Winter Games over a 19-year involvement with Special Olympics, including football silver in Glasgow in 2005 and two athletics bronzes four years later.

“The Special Olympics has changed my life and enabled me to do things that I wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise,” said Clare.

“I have made lots of friends, had lots of fun, and have been able to participate in lots of different sports.”

In addition to alpine skiing, Clare also loves golf, athletics and horseback riding and is also a member of the Riding for the Disabled Association.