The skiing ‘Von Trapp’ family dominating the ParalympicsImage source, ReutersImage caption, Veronika and Johannes Aigner have won six medals between them at the Winter ParalympicsByKatie FalkinghamBBC Sport Senior Journalist in CortinaPublished57 minutes agoSkis? Tick. Boots? Tick. Guitars, accordion, harmonica? Triple tick.It’s not an ordinary packing list for a Winter Paralympics, but the Aigners are no ordinary family.They are superstars of their sport, with siblings Johannes and Veronika having won four golds, a silver and a bronze medal between them across the Para-alpine skiing events at the Milan-Cortina Games.But the Austrians are also skiing’s own version of the Von Trapp family made globally famous by the Sound of Music, and are known for their impromptu concerts in the Paralympic Village.”We are always ready for a party,” mentioned Veronika., external
The family are no stranger to taking their instruments on the road, previously doing so at World Championships and World Cups.
Veronika, 23, plays guitar, as does 20-year-old Johannes’ guide Nico Haberl. Johannes plays the accordion or harmonica, while Veronika’s stand-in guide Lilly Sammer is on vocals.
“I learned to play [accordion] through an online course,” Johannes told Austrian outlet Krone., external “But I’m much more nervous playing it than skiing because I’m not that good at it yet.”
On joining in with the Aigners’ music, Haberl mentioned: “It’s fun and also good for your head that you don’t have every time the racing feeling in your head.”
