Palmer's Andrew Kurka ended the season on a winning note this week when he captured the giant slalom title at the North American para-alpine championships in Winter Park, Colorado. Kurka, still one of the world's top sit-skiers at age 32, won both GS runs Wednesday to...
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UAF’s Mariel Pulles and Kendall Kramer ski to 1-2 finish at the World University Games to lead AK contingent
The final day of the World University Games was like a storybook ending for UAF teammates Mariel Pulles and Kendall Kramer. The two Nanooks were eager to finish strong, as both skiers had at least four races under their belt, including preliminary rounds. Kramer, a...
Freeride Skiing: Anchorage 16-year-old Paul Melchert places 7th at World Juniors in Austria
Paul Melchert poled out of the start area onto the steep Quellspitze mountain and within seconds launched off a boulder, sticking the landing. The 16-year-old from Anchorage was just getting started in his debut at the Freeride World Junior Championships in Kappl,...
Young Finnigan Donley places 13th and 29th at World Junior Alpine Championships
Finnigan Donley of Anchorage is only 17 years old and making the most of his experience at the 41st World Junior Alpine Ski Championships in Austria. After all, gaining a spot on the U.S. team was a huge surprise. “I was extremely excited when I found out I qualified...
On The Slopes: Hunter Eid qualifies for World University Games, along with 6 UAA teammates
UAA’s Hunter Eid of Anchorage has been selected to represent Team USA on one of the sport’s highest stages. The lifelong alpine skier and South High grad is slated to compete next month at the Winter World University Games, held in Lake Placid, New York. Eid will be...
Hannah Halvorsen, Andrew Kurka, Mareng Gatkuoth finalists for Trajan Langdon Adult Award
TRAJAN LANGDON ADULT AWARD FINALISTS For Leadership, Sportsmanship and Inspiration – For a person or group of people who have demonstrated leadership, integrity and sportsmanship during the past year and positively influenced and inspired others to be better sportsmen...
Alyeska Freeride Team goes big at inaugural Girdwood competition
One day before a major freeride skiing competition in Girdwood was scheduled to start, Cameron Hoessle sat on the waitlist in racer limbo. Then, after another skier’s cancellation, the call finally came that he’d get to compete. Hoessle took full advantage, placing...
Palmer’s Andrew Kurka vows to return after early Paralympics exit
Andrew Kurka’s Paralympics have come to a premature and disappointing end. But he wants everyone to know this is not the end of his exceptional career. Kurka, of Palmer, placed fourth in Friday’s opening race, the men’s sitting downhill in which he was the defending...
Olympic roundup: Scott Patterson 8th in historic U.S. men’s ski result, plus more
When organizers delayed and dramatically shortened the final men’s ski race at the Beijing Olympics due to inclement weather, Scott Patterson of Anchorage took the change in stride. Then Patterson threw down for eighth place in the 30K freestyle to achieve the...
Bronze Medalist Andrew Kurka named Alaska Athlete of the Week
Palmer’s Andrew Kurka was named our Alaska Athlete of the Week after winning bronze at the World Para Snow Sports Championships in Lillehammer, Norway. This was Kurka’s first podium appearance at the world championships since 2017. In the sitting downhill even, the...
Downhill specialist Andrew Kurka wins bronze medal at World Para Championships in Norway
Palmer’s Andrew Kurka has a reputation for going for broke in the downhill, usually resulting in him crashing or medaling. Go big or go home. He stayed on his skis today and it resulted in him winning bronze in the men’s sitting event at the World Para Snow Sports...