Kwame Nkrumah Achaempong universally known as the Snow Leopard has switched his training from his indoor location at Hemel Hempstead's Snow Centre to Val Di Fiemme, in Trentino, Italy. The resort would win any 'picture postcard' setting as an idyllic winter sports setting with the UNESCO World Heritage Site listed mountains of the Dolomites as a beautiful backdrop and also of course great slopes. More than that it is centre of ski racing excellence and often hosts ski racing teams such as Canada, Italy and even Argentina.
This is the 4th season that the Snow Leopard has based himself in this perfect location that has already seen him qualify for the Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010. The ski resort of Pampeago in Val Di Fiemme sits at 1750 metres above sea level and the morning training runs leave you gasping for air. Once on the slopes then Kwame is at home, honing his technique and race speed.
With less than 100 days to go until the Olympics every day and every minute is vital in race preparation. Unlike the bigger teams from larger nations with coaches, medical staff and considerable funding the Snow Leopard has achieved almost all of his incredible journey without these resources. For instance, Kwame and his manager, Richard Harpham drove from the United Kingdom to Italy with his van loaded with ski racing equipment, practically non-stop with them both taking shifts behind the wheel. The next day they were out on the hills acclimatising to altitude and the conditions.
In Pampeago and Val di Fiemme Kwame holds something of the 'Rocky' story with the Olympian underdog becoming a local hero and legend. People are genuinely pleased to see him and equally delighted to hear that he has achieved part of his dream in qualifying for an Olympics. The locals feel part of that journey having watched him grow from a relative novice to an Olympic Ski Racer.
Of course for the Snow Leopard, qualification is only part of the dream, he now aims to compete well against his peers and earn the title "Middle Dog" by attempting to beat those from other smaller nations, many of whom have been skiing for many years.
For more information contact the Ghana Ski Team - info@ghanaskiteam.com.