Winter Paralympics: Menna Fitzpatrick fifth after ‘challenging’ Games
British Para-skier Menna Fitzpatrick says she is already looking to the future after missing out on a medal at the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics.
The 27-year-old, who is Britain’s most successful Winter Paralympian, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury late last year and postponed surgery to compete at her third Games.
But after finishing fifth in her final event in Italy, the women’s visually impaired slalom, she told BBC Sport she wants to make it to another Games.
“Every end of a cycle marks a new challenge and my plan is to hopefully make it to France in 2030,” she said.
“I first learned how to ski in France so it’s almost like going home. That will be a really cool one for me to aim for.”
Fitzpatrick and guide Katie Guest saved their best finish for last after two sixth places in the super-G and giant slalom and ninth in the Alpine combined.
Austrian Veronika Aigner maintained her dominance with her fourth gold of the Games, finishing four seconds clear of compatriot Elina Stary.
Despite not coming away with another medal for her collection, Fitzpatrick was keen to focus on the positives.
“I think it’s been a really successful Games for us, considering where I was before, so I’m really happy, especially with the performance today,” she added.
“We really went out there and pushed it, and are really happy with the result.
“As an athlete you always hope for your absolute best skiing in a race. It often doesn’t happen like that and as athletes we’re really hard on ourselves when things are tough.
“It’s been a challenging two weeks, but just knowing that I’ve got these performances within me, even if the preparation didn’t go quite to plan, gives me confidence.”