Name: Laurie Stephens
Sport: Alpine Skiing
Event(s): Downhill, Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super-G, Super Combined
Classification: LW12-1, Sitting
Height: 5-0
DOB: 3/5/1984
Birthplace: Beverly, Mass.
Hometown: Wenham, Mass.
High School: Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School (Wenham, Mass.) ‘02
College: University of New Hampshire ‘07, Therapeutic Recreation
Paralympic Experience
  • Five-time Paralympian (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022); Seven-time Paralympic medalist (2 golds, 2 silvers, 3 bronzes)
  • Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, DNF (downhill)
  • Paralympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, bronze (downhill), 4th (super combined), 5th (super-G)
  • Paralympic Winter Games Sochi 2014, bronze (downhill, super-G), 4th (slalom), 6th (giant slalom)
  • Paralympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010, silver (downhill), 4th (super-G), 5th (slalom, giant slalom, super combined)
  • Paralympic Winter Games Torino 2006, gold (downhill, super-G), silver (giant slalom)
World Championship Experience
  • Most recent: 2023, silver (super-G, alpine combined, giant slalom)
  • Years of participation: 2004, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023
  • Medals: 18 (2 golds, 9 silvers, 7 bronzes)
  • Gold – 2021 (giant slalom); 2013 (downhill)
  • Silver – 2023 (super-G, alpine combined, giant slalom); 2019 (super-G, giant slalom); 2011 (super-G, downhill); 2004 (giant slalom)
  • Bronze – 2021 (slalom); 2019 (super-G); 2015 (super combined); 2013 (super-G); 2011 (super combined
Personal: She was born with spina bifida and started skiing at age 12 when a group of athletes with disabilities went to Loon Mountain in New Hampshire...She turned to racing at about 15, joining Chris Devlin-Young's New England Disabled Ski Team...By 2004, she was the overall and giant slalom world cup champion as a rookie...Named Paralympic Sportswoman of the Year in 2006 by the United States Olympic Committee...Was a 2006 ESPY Award nominee for Best Female Athlete with a Disability...She previously held two U.S. records for Para swimming, one in the 100-meter backstroke and one in the 200 backstroke...Daughter of John and Donna Stephens...Has one brother, Scott...Hobbies include reading and knitting.