A 34-year-old blind ex-soldier from Kent has set a new downhill skiing record.

Kevin “Cannonball” Alderton, on Friday made history when he hurtled down a French ski slope at more than 100mph.

He was guided only by a radio link in his crash helmet.

Delighted Kevin, who lives in Heather Drive, Dartford, said the whole experience had been “phenomenal”.

Speaking direct from Les Arcs where the attempt took place, he said: “The fact that I went over the time line on my backside with my legs akimbo doesn’t matter.

“I still did it and it feels absolutely great – even if I am a little sore.”

Kevin’s speed of 100.94mph puts him firmly in the record books. He lost his sight eight years ago in a street attack in London. The ex-servicemen’s charity St Dunstans helped get him back onto skis again and has supported him in his bid to set the first ever downhill blind skiing record.

He has also been selected for the Great Britain Adaptive Ski Team Development Squad and hopes to compete in the 2008 World Championships and the 2010 Paralympics in Canada.

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