IMAGE|| Thomas Skulander
Hosted by Dave Culbert
Delving into all things Commonwealth Games between now and the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
We recap the week that was, chat to a Games star of the past, present or future and take a look at the week ahead for our Commonwealth Games aspirants.
EPISODE 36: Jessica Gallagher
Contemplate this…
You’re on top of a snow covered mountain gearing up to throw yourself down it on a pair of skis. You can’t see the ground, you can’t see snow condition changes and you’re about to hit speeds over 100 kilometres. Your ears are your eyes and you’re relying on directions from a ‘pilot’ through a small Bluetooth earpiece under your helmet.
You are legally blind. You are Australian Paralympic alpine skier, track and field athlete, and tandem cyclist Jessica Gallagher.
A natural born athlete – Jess grew up playing elite junior netball with the likes of Caitlin Thwaites and Julie Corletto (nee’ Predergast) and was well on her way to success when she was diagnosed with a rare eye condition, Best’s Disease.
Life changed dramatically for Jess and she was forced to find other avenues to best utilise her natural athleticism. While on a working holiday with a friend in Vail, Colarado she learned about the Winter Paralympic Games – from there her love for alpine skiing quickly advanced.
Jess’ first Winter Games was in Vancouver in 2010 where she won bronze, followed by another bronze in Sochi four years later.
From the fast snowy slopes to the steep timber boards of a velodrome – Jess was this week named on the Australian cycling team competing at Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and on this podcast takes us on a journey through her spectacular sporting career.
Inspiring story. A must listen!