Talan Skeels-Piggins
Encyclopedia
Talan Skeels-Piggins is a British alpine skier
. Skeels-Piggins uses a sit-ski in competitions.
Skeels-Piggins is a former Royal Navy
fighter controller. He was paralysed from the chest down following a motorcycle accident in March 2003, which shattered his spine and broke his neck. After his injury he was retained in the Armed Forces and serves as a Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve
s.
He began skiing on a family holiday at the age of nine. Whilst in the navy he was captain of the Scotland, Northern England &
Northern Ireland Command Team and was placed fourth overall in the Navy Ski Championships. After his accident he chose to start skiing using a sit-ski with the goal of competing at the Paralympics. He was selected to compete for the Great Britain team 14 months after sustaining his injuries and competes in the LW10/1 classification for athletes with paraplegia with no upper abdominal function and no functional sitting balance.
By 2008 he had reached a world ranking of 5th in the downhill event. At the 2009 World Championships in Korea, he finished 31st in the Super-G and improved on that position with a 26th-placed finish at the 2009 World Cup in Whistler.
In 2010 he won two bronze medals at the NorAm Cup in Kimberly, Canada to secure his qualification for the 2010 Winter Paralympics
. He competed for Great Britain at the 2010 Winter Paralympics
in the men's slalom
, giant slalom
and Super-G
. His best finish was 15th in the giant slalom; he also finished 25th in the Super-G and 31st in the slalom.
Skeels-Piggins is a qualified teacher and formerly taught physical education at St Laurence, Bradford on Avon.
In 2011, together with Russell O'Neill and Halina Tomlinson, Talan founded The Bike Experience, a charity established to help motorcycle riders who are now paraplegic to ride again. Based at Castle Combe circuit in Wiltshire this is free experience for disabled bikers who would like to ride on a racing circuit:
Level 1 teaches the riders how to use the adapted machine, with slow speed work on a closed-off section of the circuit. This is normally followed by Level 2 after a short break.
Level 2 riders take part in track work and the session is spent working on learning the racing line around the circuit, ensuring correct gearing is selected and pressing on to a quick pace.
Level 3 is also a track session focusing on one-on-one tuition with the riders, concentrating on any issues they may have and working towards full confidence in taking part in track days.
Alpine skiing
Alpine skiing is the sport of sliding down snow-covered hills on skis with fixed-heel bindings. Alpine skiing can be contrasted with skiing using free-heel bindings: Ski mountaineering and nordic skiing – such as cross-country; ski jumping; and Telemark. In competitive alpine skiing races four...
. Skeels-Piggins uses a sit-ski in competitions.
Skeels-Piggins is a former Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
fighter controller. He was paralysed from the chest down following a motorcycle accident in March 2003, which shattered his spine and broke his neck. After his injury he was retained in the Armed Forces and serves as a Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Naval Reserve
The Royal Naval Reserve is the volunteer reserve force of the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. The present Royal Naval Reserve was formed in 1958 by merging the original Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve , a reserve of civilian volunteers founded in 1903...
s.
He began skiing on a family holiday at the age of nine. Whilst in the navy he was captain of the Scotland, Northern England &
Northern Ireland Command Team and was placed fourth overall in the Navy Ski Championships. After his accident he chose to start skiing using a sit-ski with the goal of competing at the Paralympics. He was selected to compete for the Great Britain team 14 months after sustaining his injuries and competes in the LW10/1 classification for athletes with paraplegia with no upper abdominal function and no functional sitting balance.
By 2008 he had reached a world ranking of 5th in the downhill event. At the 2009 World Championships in Korea, he finished 31st in the Super-G and improved on that position with a 26th-placed finish at the 2009 World Cup in Whistler.
In 2010 he won two bronze medals at the NorAm Cup in Kimberly, Canada to secure his qualification for the 2010 Winter Paralympics
2010 Winter Paralympics
The 2010 Winter Paralympics, officially the X Paralympic Winter Games, or the 10th Winter Paralympics, were held in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, Canada from March 12 to 21, 2010. The Opening Ceremony took place in BC Place Stadium in Vancouver and the Closing Ceremony in Whistler...
. He competed for Great Britain at the 2010 Winter Paralympics
Great Britain at the 2010 Winter Paralympics
Great Britain competed at the 2010 Winter Paralympics held in Vancouver, Canada. The team was made up of athletes from the whole United Kingdom; athletes from Northern Ireland, who may elect to hold Irish citizenship under the pre-1999 article 2 of the Irish constitution, are able to be selected to...
in the men's slalom
Alpine skiing at the 2010 Winter Paralympics – Men's slalom
The Men's Slalom competition of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics is held at Whistler Blackcomb in Whistler, British Columbia. The competition has been rescheduled to Sunday March 14 and Monday March 15 due to recent weather conditions....
, giant slalom
Alpine skiing at the 2010 Winter Paralympics – Men's giant slalom
The Men's Giant Slalom competition of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympics is held at Whistler Blackcomb in Whistler, British Columbia. The competition is scheduled for Tuesday, March 16 and Wednesday March 17.- Visually Impaired :...
and Super-G
Alpine skiing at the 2010 Winter Paralympics – Men's Super-G
The Men's Super-G competition of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympics is held at Whistler Blackcomb in Whistler, British Columbia. The competition has been rescheduled to Friday March 19 and Saturday March 20 due to recent weather conditions.-Visually Impaired:...
. His best finish was 15th in the giant slalom; he also finished 25th in the Super-G and 31st in the slalom.
Skeels-Piggins is a qualified teacher and formerly taught physical education at St Laurence, Bradford on Avon.
In 2011, together with Russell O'Neill and Halina Tomlinson, Talan founded The Bike Experience, a charity established to help motorcycle riders who are now paraplegic to ride again. Based at Castle Combe circuit in Wiltshire this is free experience for disabled bikers who would like to ride on a racing circuit:
Level 1 teaches the riders how to use the adapted machine, with slow speed work on a closed-off section of the circuit. This is normally followed by Level 2 after a short break.
Level 2 riders take part in track work and the session is spent working on learning the racing line around the circuit, ensuring correct gearing is selected and pressing on to a quick pace.
Level 3 is also a track session focusing on one-on-one tuition with the riders, concentrating on any issues they may have and working towards full confidence in taking part in track days.
External links
- Talan Skeels-Piggins' website
- Profile at the British Disabled Ski Team
- Talan Skeels-Piggins (talansp) on Twitter
- "Piggins Progress" – Talan Skeels-Piggins' blogspot