Paralympics dream realised today

Wanaka-based and Outram-raised Adam Hall's long-held dream becomes a reality today at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympic Games.

Hall, who was selected as flag-bearer for the two-man New Zealand team at the Paralympics opening ceremony in front of 60,000 people at the BC Stadium, begins his campaign with the Super G from 7.30am, weather permitting.

Chef de misson Jon Turnbull said Hall, who is competing at his second Paralympics after racing at Torino in 2006, was the ideal choice.

"Adam is the epitome of the professional athlete.

"He lives and breathes high performance and he was the obvious choice to carry the symbol of our nation at the pinnacle of international competitive winter sports."

Games debutant Peter Williams, of Auckland, will also compete in the skiing events.

Heavy snow has been falling in Vancouver, which could affect the Games schedule.

Meanwhile, Wanaka's freeskiing Wells brothers, Jossi and Byron, have been making headlines in Europe.

Jossi continued his good form to claim bronze in the slopestyle at the inaugural European X Games.

The event was won by Tom Wallisch, with Bobby Brown taking silver.

Byron upstaged his older brother in the superpipe when he finished one place higher with a career-best finish of fifth.

The 17-year-old was the youngest competitor in the eight-man final.

He produced a switch 720, alley-oop flatspin 540, leftside 900, rightside 900 and 540 true nose grab in his opening run to put himself in the top spot early in the final, which was won by Kevin Rolland.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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