Andrew Kurka

 

Sport: Alpine Skiing
Height: 5-9
Weight: 141
Classification: LW12-1, Sitting
Date of Birth: Jan. 27, 1992
Birthplace: Anchorage, Alaska
Hometown: Palmer, Alaska
Current Residence: Palmer, Alaska
High School: Colony High School
Coach: Kevin Jardine

Career Highlights

  • 2014: Team member, Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games; World Cup Panorama, 1st downhill; World Cup Tignes, France, 5th downhill; NorAm Aspen, 2nd downhill; NorAm Winter Park, 5th slalom; U.S. Paralympics Alpine Skiing National Championships, 1st downhill
  • 2013: Named to 2013-14 U.S. Paralympics Alpine Skiing National Team
  • 2012: NorAm Copper Mountain, 2nd super-G; World Cup, 10th giant slalom

Personal

Andrew Kurka’s first Olympic dream wasn’t on the slopes, but on the wrestling mat, as he was a six-time Alaskan state champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. However, his dream took a detour at age 13 after an ATV accident severely damaged three vertebrae in the middle of his spinal cord. Two years after his accident, he first tried the monoski on the encouragement of his physical therapist through a program called Challenge Alaska.

Kurka is a lifelong Alaskan who seeks out the toughest lines down the mountain. He became the first person in a monoski to ski the Christmas Chute on the North Face of Mt. Alyeska in Girdwood, Alaska. Kurka also competes as a bodybuilder, works as a country music DJ and chronicles his adventures on and off the slopes in YouTube videos.

Connect
Twitter: @Andrew_Kurka
Website: Andrewkurka.wordpress.com