Jasmin Bambur competes in Beijing. (Photo: Joe Kusumoto)
Every other week we scour the web for the latest going on in the world of U.S. Para alpine skiing. Here’s what you missed!
Pit Stop In Miami
When the Formula One racing tour pulled into Florida for the inaugural Miami Grand Prix in early May, thousands flocked to the event. Over 242,000 fans visited Hard Rock Stadium during the three days events were held over the weekend, and 85,280 filled the stadium on race day. Among those thousands of fans were multiple Paralympians.
Four-time Paralympian Jasmin Bambur got a first-hand experience with a pit crew.
“Fastest pitstop in F1 @mercedesamgf1,” Bambur wrote.
The Granby, Colorado, native also got a close look at some of the cars on display.
Allie Johnson, who made her Paralympic debut in Beijing, posted a photo dump of her experience in Miami while rocking a Ferrari hat.
“Formula 1/Para-Alpine crossover🤘so grateful for F1 and Hard Rock Stadium staff for the out of this world experience with the best crew around,” she wrote.
Robert Enigl, who also debuted in Beijing, was able to get a video from the start of the race.
Proud Patriot
Two-time Paralympian Spencer Wood was showing his American spirit on Memorial Day Weekend, as he posted a picture to his Instagram repping Team USA gear.
“Proud to be an American,” he wrote on his Instagram post.
It’s been an incredibly patriotic month for Wood, as he was one of the over 600 Olympians and Paralympians to visit the White House earlier in May.
Eyes On Italy 2026
A frustrating Paralympic debut in Beijing has left sit skier Kyle Taulman with one thought: he’s ready for the 2026 Paralympics in Milano Cortina, Italy.
“As far as I’m concerned,” he said in a story for USParaAlpineSkiing.org, “I have my worst experience out of the way.”
A lot of things went wrong for Taulman in Beijing. His sit ski broke, he suffered an injury during training and he didn’t make it through the course on his slalom run. He can now focus on having a better experience in four years.
Between now and 2026, Taulman, a sophomore at the University of Colorado, plans to work on his degree in electrical engineering while also heading to the slopes for more training and competition.
The Beauty Of Alaska
Take a deep breath and enjoy the scenery. Andrew Kurka, a two-time Paralympic medalist, is back at the place where he finds his inner peace: Alaska.
“What a peaceful place,” he wrote on his Instagram. “I love Alaska. After such a long year and so many difficulties and injuries. I sure am glad to be back in my happy place.”
Kurka is a native of Palmer, Alaska, which is located on the Matanuska River northeast of Anchorage.
Before heading back home, Kurka also shared a “big brother” graduation moment on Instagram.
“Proud big brother moment!” he wrote. “They’re all getting so big! My brother @huntbleak just graduated! Off to pilot school!”
Fighting Cancer
Thomas Walsh battled Ewing’s sarcoma for over a year while he was a teenager. He was able to get through that battle and earn his first Paralympic medal in Beijing, winning a silver in the giant slalom.
Walsh posted a few photos on Instagram of his time in the hospital while he was fighting off Ewing’s sarcoma.
“The world needs more survivors,” Walsh wrote. “Please make a donation to @little_warrior_foundation to help end Ewing’s Sarcoma.”