Rachael fell from a car at the age of four, resulting in paralysis of her left arm. In 1997, she made the decision to have the arm amputated. She experienced her Paralympic debut at the Nagano 1998 Paralympic Winter Games along with 4 other Para alpine skiers.
She made her second appearance at the Salt Lake City 2002 Paralympic Winter Games. At only 23 years of age, Rachael produced an outstanding performance winning her first Paralympic medals and taking home three gold medals in the Women’s Slalom, Giant Slalom and Downhill. She said at the time that it this triple gold haul far exceeded her expectations.
