Skiing siblings say start to Paralympics ‘beyond wildest expectations'

Neil Simpson, 19, won gold in the men’s Super-G vision impaired class alongside his brother and guide Andrew.

Scots skiing siblings Neil and Andrew Simpson say start to Paralympics ‘beyond wildest expectations’Channel 4

Paralympic history maker Neil Simpson says he and his brother’s flying start to the Games has been beyond their wildest expectations.

Simpson, 19, won gold in the men’s Super-G vision impaired class alongside his brother and guide Andrew.

In doing so, the skier from Banchory became the first British male athlete to win gold on snow.

Neil and Andrew followed that up with Super Combined bronze less than 24 hours later.

The pair told STV it was a surreal start to their first Paralympics together.

Neil said: “It’s quite a special feeling. I can’t believe it to be honest.

 Neil Simpson says he and his brother’s flying start to the Games has been beyond their wildest expectations.STV News

“It’s been beyond our wildest expectations. It was a dream come true to be selected to come out here so to get gold and then bronze after three races is something else.”

He added: “Our expectations were to try and put in a good performance. We did that but we didn’t think that would lead to a gold medal, it far exceeded what we were hoping for.”

The brothers’ attention now turns to the Giant Slalom and Slalom events as they look to add to their medal haul.

Guide Andrew says their sibling connection is the key to their success on the slopes.

Andrew said: “I feel it definitely helps us, we have such a good connection. Growing up and skiing together, we know exactly what we want without saying it sometimes.

“We have two more races left. We are just going to try and ski the best we can and leave it on all the hill.

“If we do that then hopefully we can be competitive.”

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