Millie Knight was thrilled to receive a bronze medal in the World Para Snow Sports Championships in Lillehammer, Norway. It was her first World Championships race since 2017 and the medal was even more special as she received it on her birthday!
Initially scheduled to take place in Lillehammer, in February 2021, the competition was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It marks the first time that the Para Biathlon, Para Alpine, Para Cross-Country and Para Snowboard World Championships are held in a single host nation.
Millie Knight said “Best birthday present ever 🥳 Absolutely beyond buzzing with today’s result, especially after the crash in the downhill training run 2 days ago. For the first time in my ski career, For the first time in my ski career, we received prize money; thank you so much @lillehammer_2021 and @dnb_bank
Truly awesome guiding from Brett, very grateful for you!”.
A total of 852 athletes from 42 nations are competing at Lillehammer 2021. This includes 140 Para snowboarders.
Millie competed in the visually impaired category having lost most of her vision by age six due to an illness during her childhood. Millie has a very time ahead after the World Championships and said: “In February we fly out to begin our holding camp in China before the Paralympic Games begin on the 4th March – assuming Brett and I get selected for the team!!
“We have just been told there will be no international spectators at the Winter Paralympics in Beijing. This is such sad news but at least there will be some local Chinese supporters, who are allowed to attend the events.
“Having a limited crowd, and no friends and family, will be really odd – very different to my previous Games experiences. Hopefully, this won’t have an impact on our preparations and performances.
“Thank you for your constant support. We could not do any of this without you.”
Congratulations also to Get Kids Going! supported athlete Menna Fitzpatrick who came 5th in the same event.
Millie’s bronze follows hot on the heels of Get Kids Going! supported athlete James Barnes-Miller who received a Bronze medal at Lillehammer in snowboarding. Here’s hoping Millie and James’ successes spur them on for even more medals. Plus we hope that all of our athletes get selected for the Winter Paralympics team.