Farr desperate to make most of Paralympic debut in Vancouver

By Tom Reynolds, Sportsbeat

 PARALYMPIC skier Tim Farr is bidding to set his rivals on red alert ahead of Sochi 2014 by muscling into the sport's inner circle at the Vancouver Paralympics.

HIGH HOPES: Skier Tim Farr hopes fond memories of Canada pay dividends in Paralympic debut in Vancouver

The 27-year-old will form part of Great Britain's seven-strong ski squad when he makes his debut at the Games which open on Friday.

Farr underlined his potential by claiming the slalom crown at the British National Championships in 2008 and claiming three bronze medals and a silver in the NorAm Cup races in Canada.

And after jetting back to the scene of his former glories, Farr is desperate to prove himself on the biggest stage of all on the slopes of Whistler.

"This is my first Games and there isn't a great deal of pressure on me but I'd like to get into the top ten," said Farr.

"It is going to be an incredibly competitive set of races but I believe I am capable of getting in there.

"My best chance of a medal is probably going to be the Paralympics in Sochi in four years' time because then I'll have the experience.

"But it would be good to set down a marker here and fill myself with the confidence that I can perform on such a big stage.

"The places can be altered by the smallest of errors so while I'll have to be on my own game I know other people are likely to slip up somewhere and hopefully that will benefit me."

Farr was paralysed from the waist down following a skiing accident in France in 2004 but was back on the slopes within 12 months.

And after securing his place in the British team to make his Paralympic debut in North America, he has vowed to keep his cool on the Canadian slopes.

"The atmosphere is going to be incredible I'm sure because they love their winter sport there," he added.

"They haven't had a Games since Calgary so they've been waiting and waiting for it and they're going to be a brilliant crowd.

"My aim is just to enjoy it and then shut it all out once I get to the top of my run and focus on what I have to do.

"I think it is going to be quite hard, hopefully I'll be able to do it but I'm just glad I'm getting the chance to find out if I can.

"I've been giving everything to make sure I made it to the Paralympics so now I've got the chance I just want to make sure I make the most of it.

"Hopefully the experience will stand me in good stead for the future and will be worth all the hard work everyone has put in to get me there."