British Paralympians Amaze Global Audience with Stunning Performances!

BBC Sport understands Pickle is focused on treats and belly rubs at Milan-Cortina [ParalympicsGB] There were 25 athletes representing Great Britain at the Winter Paralympics, alongside dozens of coaches and support staff. But at ParalympicsGB House in the mountains of Cortina, one "very good girl" was stealing the spotlight. Pickle is an eight-year-old black labrador retriever guide dog.

Her human, Hester Poole, was making her Paralympics debut competing in the visually impaired alpine skiing events. "She loves the mountains - she's always really bouncy when she sees the snow," said Poole, who has had severely limited vision since birth. "When she comes skiing, it's nice to get to the bottom of the piste, win or lose, and have this furry ball of love waiting for me.

" 'Soak it all in' - Poole prepares for first Paralympics The pair began working together while being filmed for the Channel 5 series Puppy School for Guide Dogs. Poole, now a youth ambassador for Guide Dogs for the Blind, credits Pickle with getting her confidence back and helping her live more independently. The 18-year-old from Bath competed in the giant slalom and the slalom .

It was a tough Games for Poole, who crashed in the giant slalom and was disqualified for straddling a gate in the slalom. Pickle gave little away during an impromptu press conference in Cortina [BBC Sport] Pickle has already starred in her own official team headshot and, in Cortina, was presented with canine-adapted kit. "Empathetic and attuned to human emotions", in many ways she is the perfect team-mate for an elite sporting event like the Paralympics.