Discipline: Para Alpine

Olympic Participation: PyeongChang 2018

Shaun Pianta is a Paralympic athlete who competed at the 2018 Paralympic Games as a visually impaired skier competing in the Giant Slalom and Slalom events

Originally, before Shaun lost his sight, he was a keen snowboarder, but that all changed once he attended a Disabled Winter Sports Australia talent ID camp and from there he was “hooked” on skiing. Shaun’s journey to the Paralympics was not straightforward suffering a very serious accident in 2014 where he broke both legs. Despite the setback where he was not even certain he would be able to ski again, once he stepped back on snow his belief that he could make the Paralympics returned.

His sighted guide Jeremy O’Sullivan was instrumental in his success. Putting in countless hours outside of team training camps to help him reach his goals. Through the non-stop effort, together they were able to achieve two silver medals in Veysonnaz in the Giant Slalom and Super-G which helped him qualify for the 2017 World Championships.

Shaun’s best moment in his career was competing in the Paralympics, he says that the whole experience of the games was incredible, especially when he had to rehabilitate an injury prior to the competition. At the games he placed 14^th in the Giant Slalom and DNF in the Slalom.

Post-career, Shaun has achieved quite a lot. He has become a Husband and a Father which are highlights of his retirement thus far. As well as being an ambassador for atWork Australia where he is a voice for those with a disability and promotes disability employment.