Here in Sochi, Britain's Alpine ski racers have had to deal with some extremely difficult conditions on the mountain this week, but have coped incredibly well and achieved great things by any measure.

There's been so much pressure placed on a relatively young squad, not only by everyone wishing them well but by the athletes themselves. Despite this, they have still managed to deliver on the day.

A huge amount of credit has to go to them on achieving excellent results so far and having written themselves into the history books. We've waited a long time to make this transition and there are so many people behind the scenes that have believed and tirelessly worked to get the team members into a position to shine on the biggest platform within the sport, the Winter Paralympics.

It's been an emotional week for all involved, the incredible highs of winning medals, the extreme pride in other athletes surpassing expectations, to seeing the pure torment in the eyes of those crashing out or not happy with their respective runs. But, in a nutshell, that's sport and that's why we love skiing, it's character building!

Watching Jade Etherington, led by her guide Caroline Powell, win downhill silver was an incredible moment ©Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty Images



Sat in the media mixed zone at the bottom of the downhill course, watching Jade Etherington and her guide Caroline Powell's magnificent run in the women's visually impaired downhill taking silver was an incredible moment. When I was two feet away from them after the race whilst being interviewed by Channel 4, the two of them could barely stand still. Their excitement in winning a Paralympic medal could hardly be contained. Giving them a hug, my emotions took over, the reality of what they had just achieved and enormity of what this may mean for the future of the team as a whole really struck me.

Within minutes however, Kelly Gallagher and her guide Charlotte Evans turned up totally crushed with their DNF – and after such high hopes. It brought me back down to earth. Both teams dealt with it in different ways, Kelly putting on a brave face and Charlotte not able to hold back the tears.

As great team-mates, Kelly and Charlotte were pleased for Jade and Caroline but both still had something to prove to themselves. This didn't take long. Winning the women's visually impaired super-G the following day was a seriously impressive performance. The two athletes took Paralympic gold – the first ever for a British Winter Alpine athlete. Guide and skier were in perfect unison the whole way down and a well-deserved result following an impressive season for Kelly and Charlotte.

It was double the delight for Britain in the super-G as Kelly Gallagher (second from left) won gold and Jade Etherington (third from left) won bronze with guides Caroline Powell and Charlotte Evans ©Getty Images



That evening the whole British contingent of staff, family, friends and guests attended the medal ceremony and seeing two Union Flags flying with Jade and Caroline taking the bronze, listening to, and all screaming out, the national anthem, was a moment none of us will ever forget. We were bursting with pride!

It also brought back personal memories of my World Cup win in Sestriere 2010, the feeling of achievement after a long and difficult path to reach your goals and dreams. This was a moment for them showing if you dream big you can make it happen!

That's one thing I admire most about the spectacular performances from Mick Brennan in the very competitive class of male sitting skiers. Mick has come a long way in the last few years, dealing with a number of demons and hard times, but showing so much courage and determination to put in personal best performances on the hill and gaining a huge amount of respect from everyone that knows him.

Fifteen-year-old visually impaired skier Millie Knight is having the time of her life out here, but I can't imagine doing what she's doing at such a tender age under such demanding circumstances, amazing. Then you have sit skier Anna Turney who has put so much into the sport and skiing so well, not to be reaching the results she so deserves is a difficult time for her in this unforgiving sport.

Fifteen-year-old Mille Knight has amazed with her performances in Sochi ©Getty Images



They all have more chances to come with our other younger members Ben Sneesby and James Whitley joining them in the technical events in the men's sitting and men's standing classifications respectively. Relishing the challenge to compete on the big stage, looking to achieve personal goals and gain valuable experience moving forward to Pyeongchang 2018.

Not only have they achieved on the race hill, but just as important off as well, reaching medal targets set by Sport England in consultation with Disability Snowsports UK. These results will be a game changer for the British Disabled Ski Team and rightly so, more money will be awarded for the next cycle leading up to the next games, with youth and development athletes coming through the ranks and wanting to follow in our medallists' shoes.

These results will bring Alpine skiing in line with many of our successful summer sports where they have access to a greater area of performance enhancing facilities and services. I have a great gut feeling that things are bright for the team and am sure of a successful long-term future within the sport, showing many Alpine nations how it's done – GB style.

Sean Rose is a sit ski racer, double Winter Paralympian, World Cup gold medallist in downhill and Winter X Games medallist. Sean is currently in Sochi with Channel 4 commenting on the Alpine skiing.