Winter Paralympics 2014: Britain's Jade Etherington wins silver in visually impaired downhill on opening day in Sochi

The 22-year-old was making her Paralympic debut in the women's visually impaired downhill

Jade Etherington finished in a time of one minute, 34.38 seconds with her guide Caroline Powell (Getty)

Britain’s Jade Etherington has won a silver medal in the women’s visually impaired downhill on the very first day of the Sochi Winter Paralympics.

In her Paralympic debut with her guide Caroline Powell, the 22-year-old from Lincoln achieved a time of one minute, 34.38 seconds at Rosa Kuthor.

Slovakia’s Henrieta Farkasova and her guide Natalia Subrtova won gold with a time 2.73 seconds faster.

Fellow British competitor Kelly Gallagher, with guide Charlotte Evans, finished in sixth place.

Etherington crashed as she crossed the finish line, but still secured Britain’s first ever women’s ski medal at the Paralympics.

"We're really happy and I am delighted with the silver medal, I don't think it's sunk in yet," she told BBC Sport.

"We knew going down that it was a solid run, despite my little jump and crash at the end, but I think I was just pleased to get down and it is great to have that confidence boost for the rest of the competition.

"We've had so much support from everyone, especially our parents and family, and we just want to thank them."