Gunew Says She Hopes She Inspires Young Girls To Chase Their Dreams

Courtesy Paralympics Australia

Paralympic skier Georgia Gunew has described how pursuing her sporting dreams has given her incredible experiences but also taught her so much about life.

Gunew and her sighted guide Ethan Jackson completed their program at the Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games with an 11th placing in the women’s slalom vision impaired, capping off a campaign that included Gunew being named one of two Australian flag bearers at the Opening Ceremony.

“I just feel like I have such a strong sense of identity from sport,” Gunew said.

“I have such an amazing community and I always encourage anyone with a disability to just try a sport, whether it’s in a competitive way or just recreationally.

“I’ve learnt so much about myself, so much about discipline, just hard work. I think sport teaches you all that. At the highest level, you have to have it or you don’t get here, so it’s been an incredible journey.”

Gunew had to give up field hockey as a teenager due to vision loss. She said younger Georgia “would be so stoked to be here today”.

“She wouldn’t believe me if I told her, but she would just be in awe. I think and I hope that other little girls can look up to me like I looked up to Mel and Jess. I think if we can help anyone get into sport, I think that’s really cool.”

“Mel and Jess” refers to two of Australia’s great vision impaired skiers, four-time Paralympian and winner of two Paralympic bronze medals, Mel Perrine – who is the Australian Para alpine skiing team’s physiotherapist – and Jessica Gallagher, who also won two bronze medals.

“[Perrine] knows the ins and outs of ski racing and then again VI ski racing,” Gunew said.

“She’s such a good role model and just having her to talk to every day is insane and she’s a great physio. I talk to her a lot about the connection that I have with Ethan because she’s had a couple of guides over the years and every single guide is different.

“We’re a great team but we’ve had to become a great team, so I think having her around to talk through how to navigate everything has just been incredible.”

Gunew and Jackson both said the Milano Cortina experience has inspired them to aim for the 2030 Games in the French Alps.

“I think we’ve made a lot of progress in the last year or so,” Gunew said.

“Starting ski racing three years ago I had so much to learn just about everything, but now I feel like I’ve learned how to be an athlete, learned how to sleep, all the external things, and now I can really focus on the skiing and I think that’s made a huge difference even this season.

“I think we’re going to have come leaps and bounds hopefully in four years’ time.

“Yeah, we’re all going to be in the French Alps. Ethan’s going to be here, I’m going to be here and hopefully we’ll do. He’s actually been roped in so yeah, we’ll be here.”

Jackson said: “I love what I do, I love hanging out with Georgia and the team. Josh [Hanlon] and Liana [France] now, it’s such a great vibe. I love skiing and I couldn’t have done it in a more unique, exciting way.

“These are the most brave, inspiring people you’ll ever meet in the whole world, right here today. I get to spend year after year, race after race with them. To sacrifice that? I don’t think I would ever sacrifice that.”