After an outstanding rowing career that saw Dominic Monypenny represent Australia at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, the proud Tasmanian decided to set himself a whole new challenge.

That challenge was to become an elite Nordic sit skier, and incredibly, his tireless training ethic, and a complete dedication to his new sport now has him within reach of a place in Australia's Winter Paralympic Team for the 2010 Paralympics in Vancouver.

It was soon after the Beijing Games that Dominic made the switch, and he competed at his first major Nordic Skiing event in January 2009, the US National Championships in Alaska.

While he admits his debut performance was modest, Dominic has since made immense progress and continues to strive towards his goal of winning a coveted Paralympic medal in Vancouver.

Always very physically active, Dominic fell 30 metres from a walking trail in the Launceston Cataract Gorge eleven years ago, resulting in paraplegia. After his accident he decided that using a wheelchair wasn't going to stop his love of sports and became involved in gym climbing, hand cycling, wheelchair road racing, badminton, tennis, basketball and downhill skiing.

In January 2003, Dominic became the first person in a wheelchair to complete Australia's hardest half marathon, up Mount Wellington on the outskirts of Hobart. Even more remarkably, he completed the challenge in a normal day chair instead of a specialised racing chair.

Away from the sport arena, Dominic holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry.

Q & A

When did you start to see the Olympic dream getting closer to a reality? At the Recent New Zealand Winter Games in '09, where I medalled and also got within fractions of percentages of the best in the international field there.

What would lining up for Olympic race mean for you? Very special opportunity, not least having been able to compete in Beijing.

What do you think would be going through your mind in those last seconds before the start? Attention to detail.

Hobbies/Interests: I Love playing loads of different sports, including wheelchair basketball, tennis, badminton, rowing, flat water kayaking, wheelchair racing, cycling, gym climbing.

Your ultimate holiday destination: Hymalayas

I would never leave home without my: i-pod

What one talent do you wish you had? White water kayaking (again, since i used to love doing that before being in a wheelchair)

Heroes/Role Models: Sam le Compte (former Australian Rowing Coach)

Personal Goals apart from your sport: Get to Antartica

Personal Stats:
Nickname: Dominator
Disability: Paraplegia T12 complete
How acquired: 30m fall
Date of Birth: 09/10/1960
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 69kg
Home: West Launceston, Tasmania
Occupation: Research chemist
Club: Traininig base: Vail Nodic Centre, Colorado, US
Started Competing: 2009
First Competed for Australia: 2009
Games Experience: Beijing 2008 (Rowing)
Career Highlights: Australian Rower's Rower Award 2005, Tasmanian Disabled Sportsperson 2005 and 2006, Tasmanian Sportsman Award 2007
Greatest Moment: Being part of the Australian Team at the Opening Ceremony in Beijing

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