Katie Guest Employs Unconventional Sleep Strategy for Paralympic Debut
British Paralympic guide Katie Guest is turning to an innovative tree-growing app to ensure optimal sleep as she prepares for her long-awaited debut at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics. The 30-year-old from Perth, who will guide visually impaired para-alpine skier Menna Fitzpatrick, missed the Beijing 2022 Games after testing positive for Covid-19, despite being asymptomatic. Now, she is determined to avoid any disruptions by focusing on rest and recovery.
Tree-Growing App Prevents Phone Use Before Bed
Guest explained her unique method: "I grow a tree on an app, and you can't use your phone outside this app when the tree is growing. I would be devastated to kill the tree," she said. "So last thing at night and first thing in the morning, I plant a tree with a two-hour timer and read a book. This stops me from opening Instagram and ensures I don't use my phone before or after bed. It's revolutionary." She emphasised that sleep is fundamental to her performance, allowing her to reset completely for each day's training.
Partnership with Menna Fitzpatrick Aims for Gold
As a guide, Guest skis ahead of Fitzpatrick in a hi-vis vest, using a bluetooth headset to communicate obstacles and maintain proper distance. The pair have already achieved success, winning slalom gold and Super combined silver at the 2021 World Championships in Lillehammer, Norway. However, their partnership was put on hold when Guest was forced into quarantine during the 2022 Paralympics, leading Fitzpatrick to compete with guide Gary Smith instead.
With Fitzpatrick, Britain's most decorated Winter Paralympian, facing injuries in recent years, Guest is hopeful they can finally compete together on the world stage. "Fingers crossed we make it to the village this year," she said. "I'm super excited to celebrate para sports and the friends we've made along the journey. It will be a big celebration of sport."
Dreams Partnership Supports Athlete Recovery
Dreams, the Official Sleep Partner of ParalympicsGB, has extended its partnership with Team GB and ParalympicsGB to help athletes like Guest and Fitzpatrick sleep, recover, and perform at their best. This support is crucial, as a strong relationship between guide and skier relies on consistent rest. Guest noted her strict bedtime routine: "If it's past nine and I'm not getting ready for bed, I start to get a bit grumpy. By 10pm, if I'm not in bed, I get upset."
The Milano Cortina 2026 Games represent a fresh opportunity for Guest to fulfil her Paralympic dream, backed by her unconventional sleep strategy and professional support.
