Andrew Kurka may not have clinched a medal this past Saturday morning at the Paralympics in Italy, nor did he make the final standings, but the Alaska sit-skier always knows how to entertain. The 34-year-old from Palmer was hoping for his third medal in four Paralympic appearances, but his quest was cut short when he was disqualified for missing a gate during the downhill race.
Despite the setback, Kurka’s vibrant spirit shone through. As he waited in the start house for the race to begin, he whistled a cheerful tune resembling “Jesus Loves the Little Children,” contrasting with the usual roars or screams from other competitors. When the race commenced, Kurka initially lagged just behind eventual gold-medalist Jesper Pedersen of Norway, trailing by .69 seconds at the first intermediate split and slightly over a second at the next.
A minute into the race, Kurka faced a major challenge when he almost crashed after a jump. However, his quick reflexes turned a potential disaster into a memorable moment, allowing him to regain control and continue racing. Video footage shared by the Paralympics’ official Instagram account showcased his incredible recovery, earning praise with the caption, “What a save!”
Unfortunately, shortly after this moment of brilliance, Kurka missed a gate, resulting in disqualification, but not before he finished the course. As he crossed the finish line, he triumphantly lifted both ski poles above his head, despite finishing 5.15 seconds off the winning pace—a time that would have placed him seventh if legally counted.
Kurka’s journey is far from over, with another opportunity to pursue a medal set for Monday during the super-G event. Speed races have been a consistent highlight in his 16-year career, with most of his 27 World Cup podiums coming from downhill and super-G competitions, the same events that brought him gold and silver at the 2018 Paralympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
Kurka’s path has been marked by both triumphs and trials. He narrowly missed a medal in Pyeongchang after suffering severe injuries from a crash just before the race, which required extensive recovery and surgery. He began skiing with Challenge Alaska after a tragic ATV accident at age 13 left him partially paralyzed. Over the years, he’s overcome various injuries, including a broken back during the 2014 Sochi Games and more recent fractures sustained during training.
This season, Kurka demonstrated his prowess by winning silver and bronze in World Cup downhill races in January, positioning him as a contender in Cortina. He has also embraced new chapters in his life, recently marrying, earning a pilot’s license, and opening a bed and breakfast near Hatcher Pass.
As retirement looms on the horizon, Kurka remains focused on one last shot at the Paralympic medal he covets, and he continues to inspire with his indomitable spirit and resilience. The chase for that elusive medal resumes soon, and fans around the world are eager to see where this journey takes him next.