Name: Andrew Kurka
Sport: Alpine Skiing
Event(s): Downhill, Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super-G, Super Combined
Classification: LW12-1, Sitting
Height: 5-9
DOB: 1/27/1992
Birthplace: Palmer, Alaska
Hometown: Palmer, Alaska
High School: Mat-Su Central School (Wasilla, Alaska) '10
Paralympic Experience
- Three-time Paralympian (2014, 2018, 2022); Two-time Paralympic medalist (1 gold, 1 silver)
- Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, 4th (downhill)
- Paralympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, gold (downhill), silver (super-G), 7th (super combined)
- Paralympic Winter Games Sochi 2014
World Championship Experience
- Most recent: 2021 – bronze (downhill, giant slalom)
- Years of participation: 2013, 2015, 2017, 2021
- Medals: 5 (1 gold, 1 silver, 4 bronzes)
- Gold – 2017 (downhill)
- Silver – 2017 (giant slalom)
- Bronze – 2021 (downhill, giant slalom); 2017 (super-G); 2015 (super-G)
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...However, this 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...He went on to make 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...Engaged to Veronica Quezada...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.
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