By Duncan Mackay

Vancouver 2010 gold medallist Adam Hall will head New Zealand's team at the Sochi 2014 ParalympicsOctober 30 - Adam Hall will lead a team of three selected to represent New Zealand at the Paralympics in Sochi next year, it was announced today. 


The 26-year-old from Dunedin won a gold medal in the standing ski slalom at Vancouver 2010.

He will be defending that title at Sochi 2014 and will also compete in the super-G and super combined, events he finished seventh and eighth in at Vancouver.

The two other athletes selected will be off to their first Winter Paralympics.

Wanaka sit-ski racer Corey Peters, 30, will compete in the slalom, super-G, super combined and downhill having taken up the sport only three years ago. 

Lake Hawea resident Carl Murphy, who like Peters was born in New Plymouth, will contest the snowboard cross as Para-snowboarding makes its debut on the programme.

The 34-year-old Murphy was this month named the overall athlete of the year at the Snow Sport NZ Sports Awards.

Carl Murphy will be hoping to win a gold medal as Para-snowboarding makes it Paralympic debut at Sochi 2014Carl Murphy will be hoping to win a gold medal as Para-snowboarding makes it Paralympic debut at Sochi 2014

While Hall's victory in Vancouver represents New Zealand's only medal from the past two Winter Paralympics, the 2014 team are looking to top that.

Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) chief executive Fiona Allan has set the team's target high despite its small size.

"This small but hugely talented team will be heading to Sochi with the target of bringing home two gold medals," she said.

"With the support of High Performance Sport New Zealand, we have worked closely with Snow Sports NZ to ensure athletes are best supported to perform at the Paralympic Games and achieve this target."

Ashley Light, New Zealand's Chef de Mission for Sochi 2014, returned from Russia on Monday (October 28) following a final inspection of the city. 

"The facilities in Sochi are looking amazing with the construction seemingly on target for completion," he said.

"It's great to be able to confirm the team so early in the piece, it allows the athletes to continue their build up to a peak in March without the distraction of selection issues.

"All three of the athletes have proven they are able to consistently compete and achieve at the highest level of their respective disciplines, they have high expectations of themselves and each other.

"Our job as the PNZ support team, will be to ensure those high expectations are met. I am excited about the teams prospects and driving the campaign to success in Sochi."

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