Andrew Kurka
Alpine Skiing

Andrew Kurka

Paralympian 2018, 2022

Andrew Kurka
  • 1

    GOLD

  • 1

    SILVER

  • 0

    BRONZE

Athlete Bio#

Andrew Kurka smiles as he holds his silver medal up

Height

5'9"

Age

33

Hometown

Palmer, AK

Education

Mat-Su Central School

classification: LW12-1, Sitting

Personal
  • 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
  • At age 13 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
  • Made the U.S. Paralympic National Team in 2010 and made his international debut
  • He became the first person in a monoski to ski the Christmas Chute on the North Face of Mt. Alyeska in Girdwood, Alaska
  • Works as a country music DJ and chronicles his adventures on and off the slopes in YouTube videos
  • Once competed in a bodybuilding tournament
  • Favorite color is neon green
  • Volunteers with Challenge Alaska
  • Son of Amy Weideman
  • Has one brother, Christian
  • Hobbies include fishing, rock climbing, hunting, kayaking, outdoor adventures and spending time with family
  • Credits U.S. Para alpine skiers Chris Devlin-Young and Tyler Walker as his idols
  • Named as an Athlete Mentor for Classroom Champions, a non-profit organization partnering Olympic and Paralympic athletes with students and teachers in underserved communities. Andrew mentors students in San Diego, Washington D.C. and Twin Falls, Idaho.
Paralympic Experience
  • 2-time Paralympian; 2-time Paralympic medalist (1 gold, 1 silver)
    • Paralympic Games Beijing 2022, 4th (Downhill - Sitting - Men)
    • Paralympic Games Pyeongchang 2018, (Giant Slalom - Sitting - Men), gold (Downhill - Sitting - Men), silver (Super-G - Sitting - Men), 7th (Super Combined - Sitting - Men)
World Championship Experience
  • Most recent: 2022 – (Super Combined - Sitting - Men), bronze (Downhill - Sitting - Men, Giant Slalom - Sitting - Men), 4th (Super-G - Sitting - Men)
  • Years of participation: Downhill - Sitting - Men 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022; Giant Slalom - Sitting - Men 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022; Super Combined - Sitting - Men 2013, 2017, 2019, 2022; Super-G - Sitting - Men 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022; Slalom - Sitting - Men 2013, 2017, 2019
  • Medals: 6 (1 gold, 1 silver, 4 bronze)
    • Gold – 2017 (Downhill - Sitting - Men)
    • Silver – 2017 (Giant Slalom - Sitting - Men)
    • Bronze – 2022 (Downhill - Sitting - Men, Giant Slalom - Sitting - Men); 2017 (Super-G - Sitting - Men); 2015 (Super-G - Sitting - Men)
More
Personal Website 

MORE ABOUT ANDREW#

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