Ready to swoosh to the rescue

With competitors capable of hitting top speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour, para Alpine skiing is a precarious sport. The risk factor increases on the challenging slopes at the National Alpine Skiing Centre, where the longest downhill course starts at an altitude of 2,179 meters, has a drop of about 900 meters, and a maximum slope gradient of 68 degrees.

The rescue team－the first of its kind on snow in China－was established in 2018. During the Paralympics it is operating as an all-Chinese team.

"During the Winter Olympic Games, we hired 12 international ski doctors－because previously there were no ski rescue medical staff in China, and the International Ski Federation was not totally sure how we would perform," Li said.

"But after we proved our abilities, the Paralympics are being served by the Chinese team alone," she added.