On the eve of her 30th birthday, Welby Paralympian Melissa Perrine has been named on the 2018 Australian Paralympic winter team for the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.
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This will be the third Paralympic Games for Perrine, who is looking forward to competing in all five Para-alpine skiing events, along with her sighted guide Christian Geiger.
“I’m really excited to be selected for my third Games and I’m feeling good going into it,” Perrine said.
Having won medals in all five events at the 2015 IPC Para-alpine skiing World Championships and finishing off this year’s World Cup season with five medals across three events, Perrine will be striving to win her first Paralympic medal.
“I think my skills are in a better spot now than they were back then. I’m feeling confident going in and if I can bring it all together it will be even better.
“The 2015 World Championships was a really good indicator that I’m able to put together consistent, high level performances at a big, major international meet.
“I’m looking to take that experience and the improvement that I’ve had in my technical skills and hopefully bring it all together for PyeongChang,” she said.
Australia has enjoyed success in Para-alpine skiing at the Paralympic Games but has not won a gold medal at a Winter Games since 2002.
Chef de Mission of the 2018 Australian Paralympic Team Nick Dean hopes Perrine and the Australian Team can improve upon Australia’s improving legacy in PyeongChang.
“I would like to congratulate Melissa on her selection to the 2018 Australian Paralympic Team,” Dean said.
“It is a true achievement to represent your country at the highest possible level. Melissa has paved the way for Australians competing in her sport, and as one of Australia’s strongest medal contenders, I look forward to seeing her rise to the challenge of adding to Australia’s gold medal tally this year.”
Perrine will join a team of 11 athletes and two sighted guides to represent Australia in PyeongChang when the Paralympic Winter Games begin on March 9.
The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Games will be aired on the Seven Network.