Chef de Mission Confirmed

Wanaka resident Jon Turnbull has been confirmed by Paralympics New Zealand as the Chef de Mission for the 2010 Winter Paralympics to be held in Vancouver.

Turnbull is the Performance Manager for the New Zealand Academy of Sport – Winter Performance Programme, based in Wanaka. He was recently in Vancouver with Kiwi Paralympic skier, Adam Hall who won a silver medal in the slalom and bronze in the Super Combined at the IPC (International Paralympic Committee) Alpine Skiing World Cup finals. Hall also took the Silver Globe for Slalom ranking him second in the world in this IPC event.

Turnbull who hails from Dunedin says working with Hall who has Spina Bifida is the best part of his job. “He’s a very passionate and mature athlete and has plenty of guts and determination. He is a fantastic guy to work with,” Turnbull says.

A keen skier and climber Turnbull will visit Vancouver again in October as part of a site visit in preparation for next year with his role during the winter Paralympics. His role as Chef de Mission will be highly performance orientated, ensuring Hall and his of physio and coaches are in top shape prior to and during the games.

While experiencing a number of highs in his day-to-day role, particularly working with Hall, there have also been some tremendous lows – in temperatures, including -35 degrees at the Canadian ski area of Whistler, during his last visit, something which does not deter Turnbull.

“I spend a lot of time in the cold – I’m away four to five months of the year. It’s given me a lot of opportunities in life. I’m especially happy to be given a position of such great respect as Chef de Mission for the New Zealand Winter Paralympic team,” he says.