• Winter Olympics

Snow Leopard skis for the stars

Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong learnt to ski on the indoor slope at Milton Keynes © ESPN.co.uk

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In the spirit of Cool Runnings, Ghana's first professional skier, Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong, fondly known as the Snow Leopard, prepares to make his Olympic debut on Saturday when he will come up against the likes of American gold medallist Bode Miller in the men's slalom.

While the British skiers have endured an uncertain few weeks following the news that Snowsport GB had gone into administration, Kwame had the daunting task of setting up a Ghanaian Winter Olympic Association in order to fulfil his dream.

Born in Glasgow but raised in Ghana, the Snow Leopard learnt to ski on the indoor slope at Milton Keynes and it was only in 2003, when adventure training specialists Base Camp took him to Meribel, that he had experienced skiing on real snow for the first time.

Under the supervision of Alphonse Gomes, the first African to compete in the Winter Olympics at the 1994 Lillehammer Games, Kwame progressed from amateur racer to professional skier. He missed out on qualification for the Turin Games four years ago but, undeterred, continued to pursue his dream and after years of disappointment and determination, he will become the first Ghanaian to compete at the Winter Olympics.

Hailing from a country with no snow, Kwame is under no illusions as he prepares to line up against the Austrians, Swiss and and Americans at Cypress Mountain in Whistler, but hopes his achievements will inspire others.

"To have come from my first trip on snow with Base Camp, where the mountains seemed massive, endless and daunting, to competing in the world's ultimate competition is mind blowing," he said.

"But I have always believed in shooting for the stars in order to make it to the sun. If I don't win a medal then so be it, but if by qualifying for the Olympics I inspire one or two more kids to chase their dreams, that will be good enough for me."

After meeting Kwame at the London Ski Show seven years ago, Base Camp director Fergie Miller was inspired by his determination, and the company has supported the Snow Leopard ever since, and are the official sponsors of the Ghanaian ski team.

"It has been a pleasure to support Kwame while training and competing to qualify for the Olympics over the past six years," Miller said. "We're excited that this moment has finally arrived, and are drumming up large amounts of support out in Whistler, where the ski events will take place."

The Snow Leopard competes in the men's slalom on Saturday at 10:00 local time, 18:00 GMT.

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