Henrieta Farkasova wins first gold of Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games

Slovakia's Henrieta Farkasova took the first gold medal of Beijing 2022 and her 10th overall at a Paralympic Winter Games as Para Alpine Skiing competition kicked off on Saturday (5 March) at the Yangqing National Alpine Skiing Centre.

The Slovakian vision impaired skier, guided by Martin Motyka, set a time of 1:19.50 in the downhill. She was followed into the podium by China's Daqing Zhu and guide Hanhan Yan (1:21.75), and Great Britain's Millie Knight, guided by Brett Wild (1:23.20).

This was Farkasova's 10th gold medal at a Winter Paralympics; having previously topped the podium three times at Vancouver 2010, twice at Sochi 2014 and four times at PyeongChang 2018; and 13th overall.

"I am very happy, it is my 10th Paralympic gold medal. I had some problems in my knees the last four years, so I am very happy to be here and to be racing."

Farkasova also shared her excitement for having recovered from a knee injury she sustained three years ago at a World Championships.

"I had three operations and it was very hard for me, very painful. But now I am back. I am first and it feels very good. I am happy."

It was also the first Winter Paralympics Farkasova competed in with guide Motyka. She said: "My guide (Michal Cerven) had an injury one month ago at the World Championships and I needed to find a new guide. Martin is very good and I am happy I can race with him."