Soule ‘confident’ of his PyeongChang 2018 potential

“I was particularly happy with the cross-country sprint, which I thought was a really well executed day of competition for me.”

At the end of a Para Nordic skiing season with four World Cups and the World Championships, US sit-skier Andy Soule has had a little time to reflect on his performances.

“My World Championships went really well, and I was pleased with the results I was able to achieve there,” he said.

The 36-year-old won bronze in February’s men's middle distance cross-country sitting race held in Finsterau, Germany. But he was especially pleased with another of his performances – silver in the sprint.

“I was particularly happy with the cross-country sprint, which I thought was a really well executed day of competition for me.”

Success in the World Championships must have seemed a distant dream after an indifferent start to Soule’s season.

“I had a slow start to my World Cup season due to some factors beyond my control but I handled it well.”

Soule did not make the podium in the first World Cup in Vuokatti, Finland, and did not race at the Western Centre in Ukraine.

He continued: “However I had some great performances in some of the mid and late season races.”

These included finishing on the podium in all three cross-country races at the World Cup and PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games Test Event in March. He was second in the long and middle distance and came third in the sprint, boosting his confidence heading into a Paralympic season.

“I loved the opportunity to compete on the Games courses in PyeongChang and am looking forward to competing there next year.”

His results there were better than on any other course throughout the season.

“I love the courses in PyeongChang and I am confident I will be able to compete well on them. Overall I really loved the feel of the event and am really looking forward to the Paralympic Games in 2018.”

While his cross-country results have been encouraging this season, leaving him fourth on the overall World Cup, Soule’s biathlon results have not been as good. He ended the season sixth overall but without a podium. He will try everything he can to improve over the next year to increase his chances of medal success in both events.

“I will be working on a whole range of little things that put together can make some big performance gains for me.”

PyeongChang 2018 will take place from 9 to 18 March 2018 and will feature 80 medal events in six Winter Paralympic sports.