Education
Mat-Su Central School
Classification: LW12-1, Sitting
Quick Facts
- 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)
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