Paralympian Jade Etherington, who shot to British stardom with her success with her guide Caroline Powell winning four medals at the Sochi Olympics earlier this year, has decided to retire from competitive ski racing.
“After many discussions with Caroline we have both decided to retire from competitive ski racing. We will be sad to leave the Paralympic Alpine Skiing programme and we will both miss our sport and athletes on the team and circuit,” said Jade who has five per cent vision in both eyes.
“Caroline and I now wish to follow different paths which we feel will be more fulfilling for us in the long term: Caroline with her instructing in Switzerland, while I would like to complete my qualification as a teacher and increase my motivational speaking,” Jade, who is now working to become a geography teacher, added, continuing,
“It is hard for me to sum up my last six years on the team but I have enjoyed my time, from my personal and athlete development to making some friends for life. I have improved my skiing ability the most since Caroline has become my guide, something that was reflected in the success that we had together in Sochi which I will never forget.”
“It was an honour to represent ParalympicsGB and to make history at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympics. Caroline and I are Britain’s most successful Winter Paralympians, and we really hope to inspire more people to enjoy skiing as a result. We hope the future team gets the support they deserve and strives toward Pyeongchang 2018.”