It starts from the ground up and if we can continue to give back

BERLIN -- A British mountaineer who climbed Switzerlands Matterhorn says he is the first quadruple amputee to reach the iconic peak.The claim couldnt be verified with certainty, but was backed by the warden of the Hoernli Hut base camp, who said he knew of nobody else whod achieved the feat.Jamie Andrew lost his hands and feet to frostbite after becoming trapped in a snowstorm while mountaineering in France 17 years ago.He spent five years training before attempting to reach the 4,478-meter (14,692-feet) Alpine summit last Thursday with two seasoned guides from the International School of Mountaineering.In the end, climbing the mountain was the easy bit. It was all the graft and preparation, and trial and error (that was hardest), Andrew told The Associated Press by phone from Switzerland.After losing his limbs, Andrew had to learn to walk again and eventually took up skiing and long-distance running before returning to his first passion -- mountaineering.With the help of robust prostheses and specially adapted poles, he was able to ascend much of the way toward the peak. When he needed to climb, Andrew said he used what remains of his arms to hold onto the rope.The 47-year-old took almost 13 hours to reach the summit and return to the base camp -- about five hours longer than most climbers.Kurt Lauber, a Swiss mountain guide and warden of the Hoernli Hut, confirmed the ascent.I dont know of any other such case, he said.Lauber applauded the achievement, but cautioned against underestimating the Matterhorn, noting that Andrews team only reached the camp at 7 p.m., narrowly missing a bout of bad weather in which two other Britons climbing on the Italian side of the mountain were killed.It would be wrong for people who arent disabled to now get the impression its easy, he said. Mark Clayton Dolphins Jersey . -- There were a lot of firsts for the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Cameron Wake Jersey . 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At 3-0, the game was already wrapped up, but Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas ran the length of the field anyway.Max Beister had just put the finishing touch on Victorys third and final goal against Western Sydney on Saturday night, and Thomas got running.He was one of the first players to reach the clubs new signing, laying his great big glove on the Germans head as he celebrated in front of the Victory bench.As someone that started his career feeling on the outer, Thomas knew how much it would mean.From a personal experience when you come into a football team, the best way to feel involved and part of the club is when you have an impact on game day, he said on Tuesday.For him to come in and be scoring, it was the best thing that could have happened for him to feel a part of the club and feel welcome.Beister, who arrived at Victory on loan from German side Mainz just a few weeks earlier, took a great stride with that goal.The 26-year-old made a perfect start at his new club, but also in rebuilding a long-lost career.Beister has made just one senior start since battling a debilitating ACL injury suffered in early January 2014.Thomas, who was forced to travel a long road himself to earn the nod as Victorys No.dddddddddddd, could sense it was a special moment for a player who had taken the risk of re-booting his career half-way across the world.Thats why I ran the whole way up the field. I was pretty tired running back actually, he said.I thought it was important to share that moment with him.I think he was really excited and maybe surprised by the atmosphere.I dont know if he expected that from Australian football. He came in and said wow it was really loud ... I think its made a big (impression) on him and making him feel at home.Without a match this weekend due to the earthquake that has affected Wellington Phoenixs home ground Westpac Stadium, Beister could improve his conditioning to contend for a first-team berth against Newcastle in their next outing.Thomas had a personal connection to the earthquake, with a younger brother currently holidaying in New Zealand.My mum called me a bit worried ... I ended up hearing back from him, he was out quad riding so he was alright, he said. ' ' '