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Double Olympic gold for Tunbridge Wells skier

A Tunbridge Wells resident has won two gold medals at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games. Representing Team GB, Jane Andrews is currently taking part in the games in PyeongChang, South Korea.

Jane, 35, has been an alpine skier for more than 20 years and in January 2012 won three gold medals at the Great Britain Nationals in Pila, Italy, in the Slalom, Giant Slalom, and Super Giant Slalom categories.

“Special Olympics means a lot to me,” Jane says. “It has helped me realise my potential for doing Alpine Ski Racing. I never thought when I started out in this sport that I would have such opportunities for training and competition. I’ve seen great improvements in my skiing and I’ve grown in confidence.”

Jane trained for the 2013 World Winter Games at the Bowles Outdoor Pursuits Centre and Bromley Ski Centre, as well as attending regular gym sessions at the fitness centre in St. Johns, Tunbridge Wells.

Jane works at Sainsbury’s in Tunbridge Wells and is an active member at St Matthew’s Church in High Brooms, where she volunteers her time as a Sunday School assistant and serves as a member of the Welcome and Ministry Team which helps lead worship once a month.

“Special Olympics has changed my life immensely,” Jane comments. “I’ve become a more confident skier, I’ve made new friends and I’ve developed my skiing further by training and taking part in competitions here in the UK and abroad.”

More than 100 nations participated in the event in South Korea, with 2,800 athletes with intellectual disabilities taking part.