Turney refuses to give up on Sochi medal dream

The Warwick 34-year-old produced two solid runs in tricky conditions after fresh snow continued to fall on the Rosa Khutor Alpine Centre course in a time of 2min 28.33sec to secure a second top-five finish.

The sit-skier looks unlikely to win a medal when the super combined concludes today (Friday) - Turney is almost 16 seconds off bronze position ahead of the super-G aspect.

But with that and the giant slalom still to come in Sochi she is keeping her head held high and thanked her friends and family for helping her on her journey to Russia.

“I put down two fairly solid runs. Slalom is not really my best discipline so I am fifth in the world and that isn’t a bad place to be,” said Turney.

“I think I was disappointed with my other results because I believed I could win a medal in speed but it was challenging and I made mistakes.

“I have got a fourth and a fifth so far so maybe I can get a third, second or first in my remaining two events, you never know.

“Conditions were challenging for sure. It was soft after snowing and it did break away and make some holes so you do bounce through them. Maybe I could have taken a bit more risk but consistency is important.

“I have never been a funded athlete and I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my supporters who have done fundraising for me and my husband Pete.”

Being a speed event the super-G element of the super combined is more to Turney’s liking but she insists the conditions may dictate how she approaches her run.

“I have to try and ski fast but ski wisely because the conditions are highly likely to be bumpy,” she added. “I will try and go all out in the next races and see what happens.”

Sainsbury’s is a proud long-term supporter of the British Paralympic Association and a champion of inclusive sport for all. For more information on Sainsbury’s commitment to inclusive sport visit: www.Sainsburys.co.uk/activekids