{{short description|British Paralympic athlete}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}} {{good article}} {{Infobox sportsperson | name = Millie Knight | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | headercolor = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | birth_name = | fullname = | nickname = | nationality = British | ethnicity = | citizenship = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|01|15|df=y}}<ref name="Sochi">{{cite web |title=Millie Knight |url=http://sochi.paralympics.org.uk/athletes/millie-knight |publisher=British Paralympic Association |access-date=14 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115071717/http://sochi.paralympics.org.uk/athletes/millie-knight |archive-date=15 January 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | birth_place = Canterbury, Kent, England | death_date = | death_place = | resting_place = | monuments = | residence = | education =University of Kent, King's College London | alma_mater = | occupation = | years_active = | employer = | agent = | height = | weight = | spouse = | life_partner = | other_interests = karate and taekwondo | website = <!-- {{URL|www.example.com}} --> | country = Great Britain | sport = Alpine skiing karate Taekwondo | disability = Visually Impaired | disability_class = B2 | rank = | event = Slalom, giant slalom, downhill, super-G, super combined | collegeteam = | universityteam = | league = | league_type = | club = https://karateashford.co.uk | team = | turnedpro = | former_partner = | coach = Scott Macbain | retired = Retired from Alpine-Skiing in 2023 | coaching = | worlds = World Cup Globe overall giant slalom, super-G and downhill winner. WUMF Taekwondo World Champion | regionals = | nationals = British Champion | olympics = | paralympics = Sochi Winter Paralympics 2014 Pyeongchang Winter Paralympics 2018 Beijing Winter Paralympics 2022 | highestranking = {{Plainlist| * World No. 1 in downhill * No. 2 in super-G * No. 2 in super combined * No. 2 Slalom * No. 2 in giant slalom}} | pb = | medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Women's para alpine skiing}} {{Medal|Country|{{GBR2}}}} {{MedalCompetition|Paralympic Games}} {{MedalSilver|2018 Pyeongchang|Downhill}} {{MedalSilver|2018 Pyeongchang|Super-G}} {{MedalBronze|2018 Pyeongchang|Slalom}} {{MedalBronze|2022 Beijing|Downhill}} {{MedalCompetition|World Championships}} {{MedalGold|2017 Tarvisio|Downhill}} {{MedalGold|2022 Lillehammer|Combined}} {{MedalSilver|2017 Tarvisio|Combined}} {{MedalSilver|2017 Tarvisio|Giant slalom}} {{MedalSilver|2017 Tarvisio|Slalom}} {{MedalSilver|2015 Panorama|Giant slalom}} {{MedalBronze|2015 Panorama|Slalom}} {{MedalBronze|2022 Lillehammer|Super-G}} | show-medals = yes | updated = 7 March 2022 }}
'''Millie Knight'''<ref name=doctor /> (born 15 January 1999) is a British skier and student who competed at international level for ParalympicsGB in alpine skiing in the slalom, giant slalom Super-G, super combined and Downhill events with a sighted guide, Brett Wild.<ref name=wcgold /> When Knight was one year old, she contracted an illness, diagnosed at age three, which resulted in the loss of most of her vision by the age of six. She joined the Great Britain Paralympic skiing team in 2012, and progressed to compete at international-level events. Knight was the British flagbearer at Sochi in 2014 – her debut Paralympics - where, at the age of 15, she was the youngest person ever to compete for ParalympicsGB at the Winter Games. In the same year Knight also became an Honorary Doctor of the University of Kent.
==Early life and education== Knight was born on 15 January 1999 in Canterbury, Kent.<ref name="Sochi"/> She was six when she lost much of her vision; in her left eye, she has 5–10% peripheral vision, and in her right eye, she has 5%.<ref name="HS">{{cite web |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/other-sports/trust-and-friendship-day-and-knight.23623943 |title=Trust and friendship day and Knight ... |work=The Herald |date=7 March 2014 |access-date=7 March 2014 |author=Egelstaff, Susan |archive-date=14 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414215750/http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/other-sports/trust-and-friendship-day-and-knight.23623943 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{As of|2014}} Knight was studying for her GCSEs in tandem with her sporting career.<ref name="Profiles">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/25605833 |title=Sochi 2014: GB Winter Paralympic team profiles |work=BBC |date=28 February 2014 |access-date=7 March 2014 |archive-date=7 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307200048/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/25605833 |url-status=live }}</ref> She was enrolled at King's School in Canterbury; her first year studying there was 2012.<ref name="Shropshire"/>
In 2016, Knight obtained 3 A's at A-Level, securing her a place at The University of Kent to study psychology. She later went on to complete her degree at Open University, gaining a First-Class Honours in 2025. She is now studying for a Master's in Physiotherapy at King's College London.<ref name=bell />
==Martial Arts== In 2022, Millie became Commonwealth Karate Champion in para-karate, kata. Earning her place on the England squad for the European Championships in Spain, where she narrowly missed out in the bronze medal match. In 2023, Millie was selected to represent England again at the World Championships in Budapest, securing her ninth place in the World ranking. In 2025, Millie became WUMF World Champion in Taekwondo. She now coaches kyokushin at [https://karateashford.co.uk Kojin-Kai Karate Club]
==Skiing career== In 2006 at the age of seven,<ref name="BBC"/> shortly before Knight lost the majority of her sight, she had been to France on a skiing holiday and was encouraged to try the sport by her mother.<ref name="IPC">{{cite web |url=http://ipc.infostradasports.com/asp/lib/theasp.asp?pageid=8937&sportid=564&personid=1206577&refreshauto=1 |title=KNIGHT Millie |work=International Paralympic Committee |access-date=27 April 2014 |archive-date=27 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427232622/http://ipc.infostradasports.com/asp/lib/theasp.asp?pageid=8937&sportid=564&personid=1206577&refreshauto=1 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Knight was inspired to take up the sport competitively when she met sit-skier Sean Rose, shortly after he had competed at the 2010 Winter Paralympics.<ref name=bell>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ski/articles/meet-the-19-year-old-winter-paralympian-millie-knight/ |title=Meet Millie Knight, the 18-year-old Winter Paralympian taking home two silver medals from South Korea |last=Bell |first=Graham |author-link=Graham Bell (skier) |date=12 March 2018 |website=telegraph.co.uk |access-date=19 March 2018 |archive-date=30 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130183049/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ski/articles/meet-the-19-year-old-winter-paralympian-millie-knight/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Her mother was Knight's first sighted guide<ref name="Sochi"/> until late January 2013<ref name="Facebook">{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=434749953263747&id=373755009363242 |title=Guide Wanted Urgently!!! |publisher=Facebook |work=Millie Knight |date=27 January 2014 |access-date=25 May 2014}}</ref> for financial reasons.<ref name="PR">{{cite web |url=http://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/sportsaid/pressreleases/millie-knight-to-carry-the-flag-at-paralympics-opening-ceremony-969861 |title=Millie Knight to carry the flag at Paralympics' opening ceremony |work=mynewsdesk.com |date=7 March 2014 |access-date=25 May 2014 |archive-date=25 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525232731/http://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/sportsaid/pressreleases/millie-knight-to-carry-the-flag-at-paralympics-opening-ceremony-969861 |url-status=live }}</ref> The pair competed together in visually impaired (VI) races.<ref name="SA">{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsaid.org.uk/news/article/millie-knight-athlete-of-the-month |title=Millie Knight: athlete of the month |date=22 January 2014 |work=Sports Aid |access-date=7 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308003533/http://www.sportsaid.org.uk/news/article/millie-knight-athlete-of-the-month|archive-date=8 March 2014}}</ref>
In November 2012, at age 13, Knight began training with Great Britain's Paralympic development squad.<ref name="BBC"/><ref name="Announcement">{{cite web |url=http://sochi.paralympics.org.uk/news/skiers-selected-to-represent-paralympicsgb-at-sochi-2014 |title=Skiers selected to represent ParalympicsGB at Sochi 2014 |work=ParalympicsGB |date=23 January 2014 |access-date=27 April 2014 |archive-date=27 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427235413/http://sochi.paralympics.org.uk/news/skiers-selected-to-represent-paralympicsgb-at-sochi-2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She raced at the Europa Cup in slalom and giant slalom.<ref name="Profiles"/> in spring 2013.<ref name="Sochi"/> Her stand in, temporary sighted guide at the Games, Rachael Ferrier, briefly joined Knight at the end of 2013.<ref name="Rachael Ferrier">{{cite web |url=http://www.st-columbas.org/News/FP_Rachael_Accompanies_GB_Flagbearer_at_Sochi.aspx?p=33 |title=FP Rachael To Accompany GB Flagbearer at Sochi |publisher=www.st-columbas.org |date=2 February 2014 |access-date=8 March 2014 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303164906/http://www.st-columbas.org/News/FP_Rachael_Accompanies_GB_Flagbearer_at_Sochi.aspx?p=33 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="IPC"/>
Knight competes in class B2 due to her lack of complete vision.<ref name="paradouble">{{cite web |title=Youth and experience: Knight "shock" at becoming double Paralympian at 19 |url=https://paralympics.org.uk/articles/youth-and-experience-knight-to-become-double-paralympian-at |website=ParalympicsGB |access-date=15 January 2024 |language=en |date=5 March 2018 |archive-date=10 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310010259/https://paralympics.org.uk/articles/youth-and-experience-knight-to-become-double-paralympian-at |url-status=live }}</ref>
===2014 Paralympics=== Knight's debut Paralympics was the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi;<ref name="Profiles"/> competing at the age of 15 made her the youngest ParalympicsGB competitor at any Winter Paralympics.<ref name="Blog">{{cite web |url=http://sochi.paralympics.org.uk/news/helen-grant-minister-for-sport-blogs-for-paralympicsgb |title=Helen Grant, Minister for Sport blogs for ParalympicsGB |work=ParalympicsGB |date=7 March 2014 |access-date=27 April 2014 |author=Grant, Helen |archive-date=27 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427232701/http://sochi.paralympics.org.uk/news/helen-grant-minister-for-sport-blogs-for-paralympicsgb |url-status=dead }}</ref> She was the flag bearer at the opening ceremony for ParalympicsGB, carrying the flag at the Fisht Olympic Stadium,<ref name="Shropshire">{{cite web |url=http://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/uk-sport/2014/03/06/knight-named-as-gb-flagbearer/ |title=Knight proud to carry GB flag |work=Shropshire Star |date=6 March 2014 |access-date=7 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307174220/http://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/uk-sport/2014/03/06/knight-named-as-gb-flagbearer/ |archive-date=7 March 2014}}</ref> an honour Knight described as "a surprise".<ref name="BBC">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/26467694 |title=Sochi 2014: Millie Knight picked as ParalympicsGB flagbearer |work=BBC |date=6 March 2014 |access-date=7 March 2014 |archive-date=7 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307195955/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/26467694 |url-status=live }}</ref> She competed for ParalympicsGB in the slalom on 14 March, completing both of her runs, and finishing fifth,<ref name="BBC Slalom">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/26518224 |title=Sochi Paralympics: Jade Etherington wins slalom silver |work=BBC |date=12 March 2014 |access-date=12 March 2014 |archive-date=16 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316160543/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/26518224 |url-status=live }}</ref> and competed in the giant slalom on 16 March, again finishing fifth.<ref name="BBC"/> There was not any significant expectation on Knight at the 2014 Paralympics, as her target was the 2018 Winter Paralympics in Pyeongchang.<ref name="Shropshire"/>
===Post-Sochi=== Following the Sochi games, it was announced in April 2014 that Knight would participate in the Queen's Baton Relay on 5 June 2014,<ref name="K Announce">{{cite web |url=http://kentschoolsinspired.org.uk/programme-inspire/news/kent-batonbearers-announced/ |title=Kent batonbearers announced |work=Kent Inspire |date=16 April 2014 |access-date=25 May 2014 |archive-date=25 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525232432/http://kentschoolsinspired.org.uk/programme-inspire/news/kent-batonbearers-announced/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> carrying the Baton in Kent.<ref name="KO">{{cite web |url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/commonwealth-games-baton-relay-17619/ |title=Commonwealth Games: Queen's baton relay to go through Tonbridge, Dartford, Herne Bay, Folkestone and Maidstone on Kent leg of tour |work=Kent Online |date=22 May 2014 |access-date=25 May 2014 |archive-date=12 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112152519/http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/commonwealth-games-baton-relay-17619/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
At Panorama, Knight took part in the two technical events, the slalom and giant slalom, as she was still too young to compete in the speed events.<ref name="BBC 5-3-15">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/31742091 |title=Para-skiing Worlds: Millie Knight aims to 'fly the flag' for Britain |author=Hope, Nick |access-date=20 December 2015 |date=5 March 2015 |work=BBC |archive-date=18 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018111948/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/31742091 |url-status=live }}></ref> Winning a silver and a bronze i<ref>{{cite web |url=http://85.17.198.3/static/info/panorama-2015/resIPC/pdf/PA2015/AS/PA2015_AS_C73C_ASW311102.pdf |title=Event Overview – Women's giant slalom – Visually Impaired |access-date=20 December 2015 |date=8 March 2015 |work=IPC Alpine Skiing |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222150127/http://85.17.198.3/static/info/panorama-2015/resIPC/pdf/PA2015/AS/PA2015_AS_C73C_ASW311102.pdf |archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/31790417 |title=Millie Knight & Jen Kehoe win skiing silver at IPC Worlds |access-date=20 December 2015 |date=8 March 2015 |work=BBC |archive-date=4 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804200648/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/31790417 |url-status=live }}></ref> Britain's only two medals of the games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/disability-sport/31826086 |title=Millie Knight and guide Jen Kehoe win world slalom bronze |access-date=20 December 2015 |date=10 March 2015 |work=BBC |archive-date=15 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315015116/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/disability-sport/31826086 |url-status=live }}></ref>
The following season, Knight teamed up with guide Brett Wild. After initially meeting at a training camp in December 2015, the pair competed together at the World Cup finals in Aspen, Colorado, where they took two wins in the downhill and super-G and a third place in the giant slalom: this success convinced the pair to focus on the speed disciplines, which they felt were their strength.<ref name=bell />
In the run-up to the 2017 World Para Alpine Skiing Championships in Tarvisio, Italy, Knight enjoyed a great deal of success on the World Cup circuit, taking 11 medals, including seven golds, in the months leading up to the championships. At the championships themselves, Knight and guide Brett Wild took gold in the downhill, beating five-time Paralympic champion Henrieta Farkašová. Team GB officials stated that this was the first world championship title for a British athlete on snow. <ref name=wcgold>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/38742139 |title=Millie Knight: Paralympic skier wins World Championship downhill gold |last=Hope |first=Nick |date=25 January 2017 |website=bbc.co.uk |access-date=29 January 2017 |archive-date=27 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127172605/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/38742139 |url-status=live }}</ref> Knight and Wild subsequently took a silver behind Farkašová in the Super Combined<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/38783604 |title=Millie Knight: Paralympic skier wins World Championships silver in super combined |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=28 January 2017 |website=bbc.co.uk |access-date=29 January 2017 |archive-date=30 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830155448/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/38783604 |url-status=live }}</ref> and a second silver in the giant slalom.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/disability-sport/38804733 |title=British pair Millie Knight and Menna Fitzpatrick claim para-skiing medals |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=30 January 2017 |website=bbc.co.uk |access-date=31 January 2017 |archive-date=4 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204171635/http://www.bbc.com/sport/disability-sport/38804733 |url-status=live }}</ref>
After the World Championships in February 2017, Knight sustained a concussion in a crash at the World Cup Finals in March in South Korea. The crash took her out of action for six months.<ref name="nightmare">{{cite web |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/millie-knight-overcomes-concussion-nightmare-to-win-great-britains-first-medal |title=Millie Knight overcomes concussion nightmare to win Great Britain's first medal of the Paralympic Winter Games |date=5 March 2022 |website=Olympics |access-date=18 August 2022 |archive-date=18 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818135323/https://olympics.com/en/news/millie-knight-overcomes-concussion-nightmare-to-win-great-britains-first-medal |url-status=live }}</ref> However, she was still crowned World Cup downhill champion for the season.<ref name=bell />
In July 2017, Knight became an Honorary Doctor of The University of Kent.<ref name=doctor>{{cite web |url=https://www.kent.ac.uk/congregations/honorary-grads/2017/millie-knight.html |title=Millicent Genevieve Knight - Congregations - University of Kent |website=www.kent.ac.uk |access-date=9 March 2018 |archive-date=10 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310074158/https://www.kent.ac.uk/congregations/honorary-grads/2017/millie-knight.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===2018 Paralympics=== At the 2018 Paralympics in Pyongchang, South Korea, Knight took two silver medals on the opening weekend of the Games in the downhill and super-G,<ref name=bell /> before taking the bronze in the slalom on the final day of the Paralympics.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/mar/18/winter-paralympics-menna-fitzpatrick-britains-first-gold |title=Winter Paralympics: Menna Fitzpatrick wins Britain's first gold on final day |last=Belam |first=Martin |date=18 March 2018 |website=theguardian.com |access-date=19 March 2018 |archive-date=26 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626220241/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/mar/18/winter-paralympics-menna-fitzpatrick-britains-first-gold |url-status=live }}</ref>
===2021 World Para Snow Sports Championships=== In 2022, she won the gold medal in the women's visually impaired super combined event at the 2021 World Para Snow Sports Championships held in Lillehammer, Norway.<ref name="magnificent_monday_for_millie_knight_2022">{{Cite news|date=17 January 2022|title=Magnificent Monday for Millie Knight and Rene De Silvestro in the Super-Combined|work=Paralympic.org|url=https://www.paralympic.org/news/magnificent-monday-millie-knight-and-rene-de-silvestro-super-combined|access-date=17 January 2022|archive-date=17 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117215253/https://www.paralympic.org/news/magnificent-monday-millie-knight-and-rene-de-silvestro-super-combined|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="france_twice_strike_alpine_combined_gold_world_para_snow_sports_championships_2022">{{Cite news|last=Houston|first=Michael|date=17 January 2022|title=France twice strike Alpine Combined gold at World Para Snow Sports Championships|work=InsideTheGames.biz|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1117924/world-para-snow-sports-champs-5|access-date=17 January 2022|archive-date=17 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117190446/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1117924/world-para-snow-sports-champs-5|url-status=live}}</ref> She also won the bronze medal in the women's visually impaired Super-G event.<ref name="magnificent_monday_for_millie_knight_2022"/>
===2022 Paralympics=== Millie competed at the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics, delivering a strong set of races across the speed events. She secured a bronze medal in the downhill with her guide, adding to her Paralympic podium record. Her results in Beijing reinforced her reputation as one of Britain’s most accomplished para-alpine skiers.
==Personal life== In 2023, she was one of the seven celebrities that participated in ''Pilgrimage: The Road Through Portugal'', on a pilgrimage to Fátima.<ref>{{cite web |title=BBC Two - Pilgrimage |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09w7lc0 |website=BBC |access-date=26 May 2023 |archive-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503000606/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09w7lc0 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{BPA profile|millie-knight}} * {{IPC athlete|millie-knight|old_id=1206577}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Knight, Millie}} Category:1999 births Category:Alpine skiers at the 2014 Winter Paralympics Category:Alpine skiers at the 2018 Winter Paralympics Category:Alpine skiers at the 2022 Winter Paralympics Category:Alumni of the University of Kent Category:British female alpine skiers Category:English Anglicans Category:English blind people Category:Living people Category:Medalists at the 2018 Winter Paralympics Category:Medalists at the 2022 Winter Paralympics Category:Paralympic alpine skiers for Great Britain Category:Paralympic bronze medalists for Great Britain Category:Paralympic medalists in alpine skiing Category:Paralympic silver medalists for Great Britain Category:People educated at The King's School, Canterbury Category:Sportspeople from Canterbury Category:Visually impaired-category Paralympic competitors Category:21st-century British sportswomen