Kurka returns from Nationals with pocket full of medals

Palmer’s Andrew Kurka was having an epic time at the U.S. Adaptive Alpine Nationals in Aspen, Colorado, until the final day.

That’s when things went to another level.

Kurka, of Colony High fame, capped the greatest race series of his ski career with a gold medal in the super-G, beating reigning world champion Corey Peters of New Zealand in the process.

“He’s one of the best skiers in the world that put down some great competition for myself and the U.S. team,” Kurka told me.

Kurka, 24, won a total of four medals – one gold and three silvers.

He seems to win a big race every year and save his best against the best competition.

Last season he won his first world championships bronze medal in the super-G in addition to his downhill, super-G and super combined victories at Nationals.

“It felt great to be able to put down another national championship,” Kurka said. “I went into the competition with the mindset of taking it easy, with World Cup finals coming up here in Aspen in March. I knew I needed to take my time to learn the hill and it wasn’t worth getting hurt before the big race. I wanted to learn and take my time, use a progression method, which worked well.”