Peter Rickards is Australia’s first Cross-Country Paralympian.  

Born with the retinopathy, a condition which may cause vision impairment, Rickards has 2% vision reading an eye-chart and no central vision. He has maintained enough peripheral vision to see shapes and contrasts, but no details.

He was taught to cross-country ski by his wife and, after his first cross-country race, he decided to take up the competitive sport. Peter was competing in open cross-country ski events when his coach Barry Field from Melbourne Nordic Club suggested he should try to represent Australia in the 1980 Winter Paralympics in Norway.

He recounts that being able to represent Australia as part of the first official Paralympic Winter team in 1980 was an amazing experience and wearing the green and gold inspired him to set up an organisation which could enable other people with disabilities to have similar experiences in the snow.

Rickards went on to become the founder and President of the Victorian Disabled Skiers Association (DWV) from 1980 to 1994. The DWV was established to enable people with disabilities to enjoy winter sport and recreation with their fellow competitors, families and friends. During his tenure as President, Rickards contributed to starting the ski-guide program, as well as establishing the dog-sledding and cross-country ski programs.

After 1994, he continued running ski camps for DWV and supported people to participate in the Kangaroo Hoppet with their ski guides. Rickards is a Disabled Wintersport Australia (DWA) life member. He still enjoys cross-country skiing with his family and grandchildren.