'Mono' sets sights on Paralympics ski team | News

15th January 2009

Mark 'Mono' Stewart . . . looking for a spot in the Aussie Paralympic team.

Just two years after strapping on a ski for the first time and with a total of only 14 days on the slopes, Mark 'Mono' Stewart remarkably has a chance of being picked in the Australian downhill team for next year's winter Paralympic Games in Canada.

And just as remarkably, 'Mono', who calls Brunswick Heads home, is getting his chance to represent his country just after turning 47 an age when most international athletes have well and truly retired.

After being 'spotted' tearing down the slopes at Perisher last winter, he received an invitation from the Australian Institute of Sport to train with renowned ski coach, Steve Bova, in Canada.

It was a big decision to make, but he talked over the offer with his wife Debbie and three young children, Finn, 9, Zane, 7, and Takara, 6, who all said 'do it'.

As a result, he flies out of Australia on Monday for a month in Canada training and to compete in a Paralympics qualifying series.

If he finishes in the top 40 in the Canadian trial, he will follow the series around the world to improve his ranking and his chances of making the Aussie team will be greatly improved.

"If I do OK in Canada, I will keep going," he said.

"If I don't do any good, I will take it as a good experience and come home."

'Mono', who lost his right leg to cancer at the age of 16, is well-known in surfing circles for his kneeboarding exploits.

At one stage he was one of the top five x kneeboarders in Australia and competed internationally.

For 10 years as the operator of Byron Professional Charters at Brunswick Heads, he took people fishing in the bay and beyond in his boat Windarra. But 12 months ago he stopped the charter work and opted for a commercial fishing licence.

Two winters ago 'Mono' took his family for an Australian skiing holiday and he fell in love with the sport.

"I loved it, the kids loved it. It was awesome," he said.

"It's like riding a massive wave at 100kph, but you don't have to paddle out. You just get a ski lift."

There were plenty of major falls and injuries in that first winter and 'Mono' admits copping a few knocks to the head and elsewhere.

But he was hooked and he was back there with his family last winter and it was even better.

He credits his years of surfing for being able to quickly adapt to downhill skiing.

"I think it was through surfing and the right attitude," he said.

"I love going fast."

'Mono' is very serious about making the Australian team. He has stopped smoking after a lifetime of lighting up, there is no drinking and he is working hard to put on a bit of bodyweight and at the same time build up his upper body strength.

He concedes that 47 is a ripe old age to be seeking Australian selection, but he's checked out other teams around the world and he has found competitors of a similar age.

He has also had a chat with Byron Bay's Marty Mayberry, who represented Australia at the last winter Paralympics and who gave him some encouraging advice.

"I have left it a bit late, but stranger things have happened," he said.

"My main ambition would be to make the Australian team. To be realistic, I would not be going unless I thought I had some sort of shot at it."

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