#500DaysToGo: Han hoping to peak at the right time

“I expect the development and activation of Para winter sports by the promotion of adaptive ski.”

South Korea's Sang Min Han is targeting the performance of his career at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in 500 days’ time, hoping for a podium sweep of all men's sitting events on his home snow.

If he does so the experienced skier will make history once again, having collected South Korea's first ever alpine skiing medal with silver in giant slalom at Salt Lake City 2002.

Han is very clear of his goals for PyeongChang 2018 and the coming season, which will feature the 2017 World Para Alpine Skiing Championships in Tarvisio, Italy, from 22-31 January.

“My goal is to win a medal in every event,” he said, hopeful of a return to some of his best form.

During his career, Han has experienced podium success at both the IPC Alpine Skiing Europa and World Cup level. This has included a series of first-place finishes, especially in 2009 and 2010.

But the following years did not produce the glory Han was hoping for. That was all to change at a Europa Cup in Stara Planina, Serbia, in February 2016, where he swept the podium in two downhill and one super-G race.

With the men's sitting field gaining depth every season, Han will look to retain his form against the likes of Japan's multiple Paralympic and world champion Taiki Morii and New Zealand's Corey Peters.

Han remains unfazed by his competitors: “There isn’t a particular opponent but all the athletes are my opponents. I would like to be the world's best skier.”

Han will get the chance to measure his progress at the Test Event for PyeongChang 2018 between 9-18 March, which will also act as the World Cup Finals.

“I wish 2018 PyeongChang Paralympic Games will be successful competitions because it is hosted in my country,” Han explained. “I expect the development and activation of Para winter sports by the promotion of adaptive ski.

“Through the Olympic and Paralympic Games, I wish to get more public attention [for Para sports].”

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The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games will be take place between 9-18 March 2018.

The Games will feature up to 670 athletes competing in 80 medal events across six sports: alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, ice sledge hockey, snowboard and wheelchair curling.