Rebuilding piste by piste

Updated 7:45 AM ET, Mon January 21, 2013

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U.S. Paralympic swimmer Mallory Weggemann is determined the fifth anniversary of the accident that paralyzed her won't become a morbid or sad day. Aside from her swimming success -- the 23-year-old currently holds 15 world records -- she has set herself a series of challenges to overcome in that time.

Photos: Rebuilding piste by piste

Weggemann's world – U.S. Paralympic swimmer Mallory Weggemann is determined the fifth anniversary of the accident that paralyzed her won't become a morbid or sad day. Aside from her swimming success -- the 23-year-old currently holds 15 world records -- she has set herself a series of challenges to overcome in that time.

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One such challenge for the Minnesota-native was to get back on the slopes and learn to enjoy winter again, which she did with the help of a mono-ski at Stratton Mountain in Vermont. "Its been fun to be out there on the snow again and not be confined to four wheels," Weggemann told CNN.

Photos: Rebuilding piste by piste

Hitting the slopes – One such challenge for the Minnesota-native was to get back on the slopes and learn to enjoy winter again, which she did with the help of a mono-ski at Stratton Mountain in Vermont. "Its been fun to be out there on the snow again and not be confined to four wheels," Weggemann told CNN.

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Under the tutelage of ski instructor Rob Willis, Weggemann was flying down from the top of the mountain after only one day of training. He said: "Mallory is by far the best student I've ever had. She's the sort of person that if you put a barrier in front of her she'll go and smash it down."

Photos: Rebuilding piste by piste

Vermont vacation – Under the tutelage of ski instructor Rob Willis, Weggemann was flying down from the top of the mountain after only one day of training. He said: "Mallory is by far the best student I've ever had. She's the sort of person that if you put a barrier in front of her she'll go and smash it down."

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Weggemann's first love is swimming and her crowning achievement was taking gold in the 50m freestyle at the 2012, Paralympics in London. She also won a bronze at the Games to add to her 13 World Championship golds, her 15 world records and 34 American records.

Photos: Rebuilding piste by piste

Water baby – Weggemann's first love is swimming and her crowning achievement was taking gold in the 50m freestyle at the 2012, Paralympics in London. She also won a bronze at the Games to add to her 13 World Championship golds, her 15 world records and 34 American records.

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Despite her prowess on the slopes Weggemann is sticking to swimming for now, but she has her sights sets on more accomplishments, like scuba diving, and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with her father.

Photos: Rebuilding piste by piste

Proud paralympian – Despite her prowess on the slopes Weggemann is sticking to swimming for now, but she has her sights sets on more accomplishments, like scuba diving, and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with her father.

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