STRIDE’s Great Race – The First Step in Adaptive Athlete’s Incredible Journey to Paralympics
Andrew Haraghey, an adaptive skier with cerebral palsy who learned how to ski when he was 7 years old, competed in his first race in 2006 at Jiminy Peak’s Adaptive program hosted by STRIDE Adaptive Sports. Haraghey, who has cerebral palsy and mobility impairment of both legs needed the use of outriggers to stabilize his balance and his style of skiing is called four-track. Next week, Haraghey, age 23, will be competing for Team USA Paralympics at Pyeongchang, South Korea in Downhill and Super G events. He experienced his first taste of the “racing bug” at the STRIDE Great Race. Haraghey continued his practice and continued skiing lessons at STRIDE’s Ski Sundown program in Connecticut near his home in Enfield, CT. At the beginning of the 2009/2010 he started formal race training and was awarded a scholarship to attend the National Race Festival at the Hartford Ski Spectacular in Breckenridge, Colorado with some of the best Adaptive Ski Race Coaches in the country, and members of the US Adaptive Ski Team.
Haraghey is now ranked between fifth and seventh in the nation in all five events, with a bronze finish in slalom at U.S. nationals this past season. After years of hard work and perseverance, he hopes to celebrate with a trip to the podium and a medal.
Haraghey’ s story shows that every Olympian gets their start somewhere and serves as an inspiration to anyone looking to move beyond a disability and follow their passion.
STRIDE Great Race
On March 17, 2018, nearly 50 adaptive skiers and snowboarders will gather at the Jiminy Peak race course in Hancock, Massachusetts for the STRIDE Adaptive Sports Great Race sponsored by DSUSA.
The race is open to all adaptive skiers (any age) with a course set up to accommodate different skill levels and special needs. There are divisions for Visually Impaired, Blind, 2-Track, 3-Track, 4-Track, Bi-ski, Mono Skiers, and Snowboarders. The race will start at 9:00 a.m. in front of the Crane Lodge.
For many adaptive skiers and snowboarders, the Great Race is a day to celebrate individual achievements and monumental successes. For others, it is the start of an even longer journey.
Contact STRIDE to get an application [email protected]org.