James Luetchford

Impairment information

Type of Impairment

Vision impairment

Origin of Impairment

Congenital

Classification

B2

Guide

Alice Luetchford [wife]

Further personal information

Family

Wife Alice

Residence

London, ENG

Occupation

Shop Assistant

Languages

English

Sport specific information

When and where did you begin this sport?

He first tried the sport on a skiing holiday in Andorra with his wife Alice in 2015. The person who ran the ski school they were attending was also qualified in visually impaired skiing, and recommended he contact Disability Snowsport UK. He followed this advice and began skiing once a month.

Why this sport?

He was inspired to try skiing by his wife Alice, and soon after he took up the sport he was invited to attend a talent identification day by GB Para Snowsport. "Alice is super keen on skiing, and she's really good. When I first met her she said she liked skiing and scuba diving. Well, I can't see the fish, so that's a bit pointless, so I thought I'd give skiing a try."

Training Regime

During the northern hemisphere summer, he and his guide Alice travel to train on glaciers in continental Europe one week per month.

International debut

Year

2016

Competing for

Great Britain

General interest

Memorable sporting achievement

Becoming British champion in slalom and giant slalom in 2017, qualifying for the Europa Cup, and winning the slalom event at an International Paralympic Committee [IPC] competition in 2017 in Rinn, Austria. (makeachamp.com, 07 Dec 2018)

Hero / Idol

British tennis player Andy Murray. (sportsaid.org.uk, 22 Sep 2020)

Sporting philosophy / motto

"My development as an athlete has had huge benefits on my mental health and well-being. I have gained self-confidence from learning just how hard I can push myself physically and mentally, and seeing the improved results that this brings." (makeachamp.com, 07 Dec 2018)

Famous relatives

His wife Alice is also his guide. (Facebook page, 11 Oct 2020)

Ambitions

To compete at the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing. (makeachamp.com, 07 Dec 2018)

Impairment

He was born with rod-cone dystrophy. He was not diagnosed with the condition until age 28, on the day before he was due to get married. (Facebook page, 20 Jan 2019; Dulwich Diverter, 04 Nov 2016)

Other information

FURTHER EDUCATION
Having gained a degree in education and worked as a primary school teacher, he retrained and completed a degree in economics at the School of African and Oriental Studies [SOAS] in London, England. (theluetchfords.com, 09 Nov 2018)

OCCUPATION
He and his wife Alice have worked as impact measurement consultants in the voluntary sector, helping charities to create and maximise their social impact. He has also worked as a night shift trading assistant at a supermarket in Surbiton, England. (Facebook page, 08 Sep 2021; theluetchfords.com, 09 Nov 2018)