Para Alpine Ski Wraps Second World Cup of the Season

The U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team wrapped up their second World Cup of the season in Steinach am Brenner, Austria, gaining valuable experience against fierce competition and conditions. 

The team started the event on Wednesday with the first super-G race of the season. Despite challenging conditions and course sets, the team had a couple of solid finishes. The day featured two separate super-G races, with Andrew Kurka leading the team in the first race, finishing eighth in the men’s sitting event. Andrew Haraghey finished 11th in the standing event. 

During the second super-G of the day, Jesse Keefe improved upon his first finish, snagging ninth place in the standing event. Matthew Brewer was the only American to finish in the sitting event, finishing 10th. 

Next up for the team was the first giant slalom of the season. Andrew Kurka once again led the U.S. in the men’s sitting event, in sixth, while Jesse Keefe was eighth in the men’s standing event. On the women’s side, Allie Johnson finished sixth in her first World Cup appearance of the season. 

Unfortunately, Friday's second giant slalom race was canceled due to heavy winds. The team was preparing to head to La Molina, Spain for their next World Cup, but the races there have been canceled due to lack of snow and unfavorable weather forecasts, per FIS Para Snow Sports. One canceled downhill race is to be rescheduled for the World Cup in Cortina, Italy, while a super-G race will be rescheduled in Veysonnaz, Switzerland. 

The team now has an extended training break before their next World Cup stop in Veysonnaz, Switzerland, Jan. 22-25. 

RESULTS:
Men’s super-G 1
Men’s super-G 2
Men’s giant slalom
Women’s giant slalom