Gallagher plotting course to worlds after impressing again in Vancouver

KELLY Gallagher has turned her attention to next year's IPC World Championships after achieving Great Britain's best result for 16 years in the visually-impaired alpine skiing at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics.

IMPRESSIVE DEBUT: Kelly Gallagher improves on her sixth place in the slalom to finish fourth in the visually impaired giant slalom - the best British result for 16 years (Getty Images)

The 25-year old has been the star of the British alpine team so far in Vancouver, finishing sixth in the slalom before a fourth place in Tuesday's giant slalom.

Gallagher was lying eighth after a nervous giant slalom first run at Whistler Creekside but set the third fastest time of 1:35.88 minutes in her second run to improve to fourth overall, just 3.35 seconds off bronze medal.

And the Brit, skiing with guide Claire Robb, admitted she was encouraged by how she conquered her nerves in Whistler.

"The first run was really slow," said Gallagher, who is competing in her debut Paralympics.

"I didn't think I was nervous until I started skiing but it turned out I was really nervous because I didn't ski to my full potential.

"So we just tried to go up here and ski fast and have fun and try to pull some time back.

"The second run I skied better, like I normally do in training. I'm really happy me and Claire produced two really good results here.

"Next year is the world championships and then Sochi is definitely close."

The rest of the British squad were less successful on Tuesday, as difficult weather conditions reduced visibility in Whistler.

Sit skier Jane Sowerby was disqualified for a rolling start while Anna Turney crashed out in her second run.

But Turney is adamant her first Paralympic experience has only acted to motivate her further for next year's IPC World Championships.

"My first run was respectable but I'm disappointed with the second one," said Turney.

"But it has been an amazing experience. I have never experienced anything like it and it's bigger than anything I have done in my life by far.

"I am really motivated to keep racing now. I've proved I am seriously competitive and I'm one of the newest mono-skiers.

"I'm looking towards the World Championships next year now and hoping for a medal."

The male sit skiers also experienced mixed fortunes on Tuesday as Sean Rose was forced to restart his first run after the competitor ahead of him crashed.

Rose eventually crashed out in the second run with Russell Docker also crashing and Tim Farr disqualified for leaving the start gate too early. Talan Skeels-Piggins finished 15th overall.

But the British men will be looking to improve in Thursday's downhill with Rose having won a World Cup for the discipline in Sestiere in January and Docker ranked three in the world for downhill two years ago.