Neil Simpson’s historic gold can inspire next generation – GB Snowsport chief

History-making British Winter Paralympian Neil Simpson has been hailed as a “once-in-a-generation” star who can help inspire future talents.

Scottish teen Simpson claimed gold in the Super-G vision-impaired class in Beijing, triumphing alongside guide and brother Andrew.

The 19-year-old claimed Britain’s first male Paralympic gold on snow, in a major breakthrough on the same day Menna Fitzpatrick became Britain’s most decorated Winter Paralympian with silver in the women’s Super-G vision-impaired class.

Now GB Snowsport head coach Pat Sharples has explained the scale of the early British success in Beijing.

“It’s been an amazing couple of days, it’s a dream start for the team across some very, very challenging disciplines, especially after all the challenges of the pandemic,” Sharples told the PA news agency.

“To see the athletes, coaches and support staff’s work pay off is brilliant.

“It’s a huge medal for Neil, who’s one of our youngest athletes. It’s his first ever Games, and to do it with his brother. Their relationship is so special, it really is. They are a real team, not just brothers, it’s beyond that. They’ve had to work incredibly hard.

“Neil, we’ve always known as a once-in-a-generation athlete that comes through, but for Andrew to be a guide at the level that Neil needs, it’s really, really tough to get someone at that level.

“And Andrew’s had to work incredibly hard to do that, and it’s all paid off for them today.”

Fitzpatrick’s fifth Winter Paralympics medal sets her out on her own in British terms, while the young Simpson brothers boast the potential for a success-littered future.

Sharples explained how merging the GB Olympic and Paralympic Snowsport teams continues to pay dividends across all