♪ (music playing) ♪
[commentator] There's the clear point for the finish, excellent! [spectators cheering]
One of my real wishes and visions going into these games...
...was that inclusion of adaptive skiers with the able-bodied skiers...
...as an example to the rest of the world of what they might do.
And who knows where that might go.
Having disabled people and able-bodied people...
...racing on the same courses on the same day
it's unheard of really in the world of ski racing.
[narrator] Snow Sports New Zealand is breaking new ground when it comes to inclusion.
For the first time ever, anywhere in the world...
...adaptive skiers and able-bodied skiers are on the mountain together.
More than 800 athletes are competing in 26 snow sports,
including ski-racing, snowboarding, iceskating
as well as a full, adaptive ski program.
Over 50 international athletes with disabilities...
...traveled to New Zealand to be part of this unique event.
Athletes like Thomas Nolte from Germany.
[Thomas Nolte] I think it's great. Normally we don't have so many spectators...
...and visitors for the races, and so here is a big event...
...on television, and able-bodied, everybody knows them...
...and they come and see us.
[narrator] The Winter Games are part of the World Cup circuit for snow sport,
and it's a rare chance for our elite athletes...
...to compete in front of their home crowd.
There's no distinction here between athletes performing
at the highest level.
I certainly believe that's the way it should go.
I can't see any reason...
You can always come up with logistical reasons
...for why it can't happen, but you can get around logistical problems.
Morning, good morning!
[narrator] For athletes like 26 year old Aucklander
Pete Williams, these games are a key event
to secure a spot on the Winter Paralympic team
heading to Vancouver next year.
These games are the real thing.
For selection for 2010, I've got to get top six.
And tomorrow's slalom, best event
so I'm looking, feeling positive about tomorrow.
[narrator] Pete was a rising star as a teenager
but he took time away from the snow to study
That sorted, he's back competing.
Fitter, stronger, and more determined than ever.
Pete has spina bifida and competes as a sit skier.
The fact that he can test himself alongside able-bodied skiers is a real buzz.
I think having the world-class, able-bodied athletes
here in New Zealand has been a great thing for the sport.
Being able to ride up the chairlift with them
ski the same slopes that they're skiing on,
it really does do a lot for disabled snow sports
in New Zealand and worldwide.
Good morning!
[narrator] Man of the moment, Adam Hall has already qualified
for next year's Winter Paralympics. What's more, he's been named
Snow Sports New Zealand Athlete of the Year two years running.
Adam raced in the 2006 Winter Paralympics in Torino,
and goes into next year's Paralympics ranked number 2 in the world.
For the Winter Games, it's not really been something I've been peaking towards.
It's kind of more of a training week from
trying to use it as a test event leading into Vancouver and
more from a coaching and physio and chef de mission role.
[narrator] There's no pressure for Adam to qualify.
The big deal for Adam at this event was the unexpected,
and almost overwhelming media attention.
For years, his performances have been virtually unrecognized.
But apart from Attitude,
suddenly everyone was alerted to his potential and wanted a piece of him.
I do get quite psyched up, I do yell at myself.
It's just my way of getting in my zone
and getting pumped up and ready for the race,
and in the zone, so to speak, at the last minute.
♪ (music playing) ♪
(narrator) When it's time to prepare for a race Adam's a pro.
Taking plenty of time to check the course
and go over tactics with his American coach.
His coach has been brought to New Zealand
to groom Adam to become world #1.
Everything happens on race day.
You know it's not a race without any delays.
There's always bad weather, this or that or the next thing
But, you know, as a high-performance athlete
you should train to race in all conditions.
(narrator) Dealing with the weather is part of snow sports.
You've just got to stay focused.
(Adam) It's just so mentally draining, to be able to go up there
remember the course you take, tactics, what you're going to do.
The speeds you're going to get at, the snow conditions
especially if it's windy, like it has been.
It's been raining, it's been snowing, with visability.
At the end of the day it comes down to your headspace
how mentally strong you are. And that's what's going to win titles
at the end of the day.
You know, I eat, think, sleep about skiing 24/7
it's what I do, it's my job.
It's... I think about myself on the podium in Vancouver
pretty much every minute of the day, kinda thing.
(narrator) He said this event didn't count
but he was still out to impress the crowd
Even before he glanced at the clock he had a feeling it wasn't his best time.
(Adam) Yeah, you know it's difficult up there, it's really hard.
It's fast and it's challenging, you know.
And a good example of a lot of the top guys coming out
and, you know, you have to ski smart.
♪ (upbeat music) ♪
(narrator) Pete Williams had a clear goal: to satisfy the selectors.
The selectors said top six in GS and slalom
so I finished sixth in the GS the other day and finished 4th today.
So, all going well, I'm heading to Vancouver in March next year.
(narrator) Days later, his place was confirmed.
♪ (upbeat music) ♪
Fresh determination from Adam later in the day
but this run left him in second place
[spectators cheering]
Obviously, I was going up for gold, y'know
And on the day, the best man won
and good on Toby!
Y'know, and that's what ski racing is about
It grows us even more as an athlete
makes us hungrier.
And, y'know, everyone's skiing well,
so I look forward to the next few months of training
[Announcer] And in 2nd place, New Zealand's favorite son...
Adam Hall!
[Crowd cheers loudly]
[Narrator] Adam leaves for Colorado next month.
where he'll stay and train right through
to the Winter Paralympics, in March next year
[crowd cheering and clapping]