PARA ALPINE SKIING NEWS
![Spain's Jon Santacana Maiztegui](/sites/default/files/images/140308105419439_477212873.jpg)
Jon Santacana Maiztegui shines on Day 1 in downhill
The Spanish visually impaired skier returned from an injury to repeat his title in the men’s visually impaired class at Sochi 2014.
![Marie Bochet](/sites/default/files/images/140308154929380_477243299_0.jpg)
Could Marie Bochet’s gold be first of five?
The French alpine skier picked up gold in the downhill and is under a lot of pressure to medal in four more events.
![Akira Kano](/sites/default/files/images/140308134404243_477244127.jpg)
Explaining alpine skiing’s factor system
Find out how athletes with a different impairment can compete against in each other in the same event on the slopes.
![Marie Bochet](/sites/default/files/images/140307122305457_476978453_0.jpg)
Downhill races to kick off alpine skiing in Sochi
France’s Marie Bochet and Spain's Jon Santacana Maiztegui are hoping to claim downhill golds on the first day of the Sochi 2014 Paralympics.
![Fireworks go off to mark the beginning of the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games](/sites/default/files/images/140307182535441_477118229_0.jpg)
Sochi 2014 Paralympic Opening Ceremony lights up Russia
Over the next nine days, 547 athletes from 45 countries will compete at the first Paralympic Winter Games ever held in Russia.
![A picture of a man in a sledge skiing](/sites/default/files/images/121217172214620_kubo_kozo_2_0.jpg)
Top 10 rivalries at Sochi 2014
Find out what will be the best athlete rivalries to watch across all Paralympic sports from 7-16 March.
![France's Vincent Gauthier-Manuel skiing slalom race at 2013 IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup in St Moritz, Switzerland](/sites/default/files/images/130115224726888_gauthier.jpg)
Vincent Gauthier-Manuel ready to get going
The alpine skier will carry France’s flag during the Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremony before he takes to the slopes in the men’s downhill standing.
![ParalympicsGB Team Launch for Sochi 2014](/sites/default/files/images/140306133415854_ParalympicsGB%2BTeam%2BLaunch%2Bfor%2BSochi%2B2014_0.jpg)
Millie Knight to be Great Britain’s youngest flag bearer
At just 15 years old, Millie Knight will carry Great Britain's flag at the Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremony.
Cameron Rahles-Rahbula selected as Australia's flag bearer
Cameron Rahles-Rahbula will carry Australia's flag at the Opening Ceremony of his final Paralympic Winter Games.
![Empty image](/themes/custom/theme_builder/master_page_alpine_skiing/images/empty.png)
Top 10 winter Paralympic nations of all-time
Find out the top countries in Paralympic winter sport and their best medal hopes for the Sochi 2014 Games.
![Andre Cintra](/sites/default/files/images/140115171903055_andre3_0.jpg)
Three countries to make Winter Paralympic debuts
Six athletes will have the opportunity to represent their country for the first time on the Paralympic Winter Games at Sochi 2014.
![Marc Dorion and Brad Bowden from the Team Canada Sledge Hockey Team arrive in Sochi for the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.](/sites/default/files/images/140301082434631_Canada%2Barrive_0.jpg)
Canadians to benefit from 300 hours of coverage from Sochi 2014
Unprecedented coverage includes more than 90 hours of fully accessible TV broadcasts and more than 250 hours of digital streaming across all CPC Broadcast Consortium platforms
![Jessica Long](/sites/default/files/images/130403175945419_151276851.jpg)
NBC’s Sochi 2014 on-air cast to include Jessica Long
NBC have announced their commentators for the Paralympics, which includes four Paralympians and several veteran announcers.
![Agitos at Laura Cross-Country Ski and Biathlon Centre](/sites/default/files/images/140305164702336_476624451_0.jpg)
IPC confident Sochi 2014 will smash viewing records
More broadcasters covering the Winter Paralympics than ever before should help beat previous record of 1.6 billion set in Vancouver.
!['Shayba' Arena in Sochi](/sites/default/files/images/140113145530907_shayba_0.jpg)
IPC launches new-look homepage for Sochi 2014
A mobile-optimised version of Paralympic.org has also been launched ahead of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.
![Jakub Krako celebrating](/sites/default/files/images/120202150433559_97790443_10.jpg)
Sochi 2014 preview: Alpine skiing
Several European nations, including Austria, France, Germany and Slovakia are expected to put on strong performances in Sochi.
IPC President arrives in Sochi ahead of the Games
Sir Philip Craven is ready to attend the biggest ever Paralympic Winter Games and the first Paralympics in Russia.
![Sochi 2014](/sites/default/files/images/140120101844996_14WA2426_0.jpg)
8,000 Sochi 2014 volunteers ready to go
Those volunteering at the Sochi 2014 Paralympics have undergone extensive training and have previous experience working para-sport events.
![Tatyana McFadden Nordic](/sites/default/files/images/140129203000444_Mcfadden_0.jpg)
Top 14 dual-sport athletes at Sochi 2014
Find out which 14 Sochi 2014 athletes have also competed on the international stage in summer sports.
![Great Britain's Kelly Gallagher with guide Charlotte Evans](/sites/default/files/images/130116100155434_Kelly%2BGallagher%2BCredit%2BNicolas%2BNEREAU.jpg)
Rob Richardson: Can Brits pick up first winter Paralympic gold?
It’s time to inspire the next generation of winter Paralympians in Great Britain, and thus making the podium is more important than ever.