Winter Paralympic Sports for Athletes with Cerebral Palsy

Para Alpine Skiing: Para Alpine Skiing is one of the foundational sports of the Winter Paralympics and appeared in the very first Winter Paralympic Games. Para Alpine Skiing pioneered adaptive winter sports and has evolved to be inclusive of athletes of all types of disabilities and physical capabilities. The sport features downhill, slalom, giant slalom, super-g, super combined and team. Depending on functional impairment, athletes compete using equipment designed to meet their needs. A competitor may use a sit-ski, a chair equipped with a pair of skis, or a single ski, or other orthopedic aids.

Learn More About Alpine Skiing:

https://www.paralympic.org/alpine-skiing

http://cpisra.org/alpine-skiing/

Featured Cerebral Palsy Paralympic Alpine Skiing Athletes:

Andrew Haraghey - https://www.teamusa.org/usparaalpineskiing/athletes/Andrew-Haraghey

Conner Hogan - https://www.teamusa.org/usparaalpineskiing/athletes/Connor-Hogan

Ian Jansing - https://www.teamusa.org/usparaalpineskiing/athletes/Ian-Jansing

Spencer Wood - https://www.teamusa.org/usparaalpineskiing/athletes/Spencer-Wood

Para Nordic Skiing: Para Nordic Skiing is the umbrella name for the the sports of Cross Country Skiing and Biathlon. Athletes compete in short, medium and long distance races and in the relay.

Biathlon was introduced to the Winter Paralympics in 1988 for individuals with physical disabilities and then in 1992 included individuals with visual impairment. Just as with traditional biathlon, this event combines the two disciplines of cross country skiing (endurance) and target shooting (accuracy). Individuals may be compete in ambulatory classes or seated on a sit-ski. Athletes should have some ability to push with poles.

Cross-Country Skiing first appeared in the Winter Paralympics in 1976 and is open to individuals with cerebral palsy across most physical ability levels. There are two classes, standing and seated. For seated athletes, the individual may use a sit-ski. Athletes should have some ability to push with poles.

Learn More About Nordic Skiing:

http://cpisra.org/nordic-skiing/

https://www.paralympic.org/nordic-skiing/about

Para Snow Boarding: Para Snowboarding made its debut in the Winter Paralympics in 2014. This exciting sport features two disciplines with multiple race brackets. Athletes compete in snowboard-cross and banked slalom. Athletes use snowboards and orthopedic aids to suit their needs.

Learn More about Para Snow Boarding:

https://www.paralympic.org/snowboard/history

http://cpisra.org/snowboarding/

Cerebral Palsy Para Snowboarding Athlete:

Zach Miller - https://www.teamusa.org/usparasnowboarding/athletes/Zachary-Miller

Ice Sledge Hockey: The Paralympic version of ice hockey, this fast paced, highly physical sport is for athletes with physical impairment primarily to their lower extremities (diplegic individuals). Instead of skates, athletes are seated on sleds and use sticks with dual ends, a spike-end and a blade-end, to maneuver the ice and control the puck. Much like traditional hockey, teams consist of 6 players, including the goalie. Ice Sledge Hockey made its Paralympic debut in 1994. 

http://cpisra.org/ice-sledge-hockey/

https://www.paralympic.org/ice-hockey

Wheelchair Curling: Wheelchair Curling made its Paralympic debut in 2006 and is governed by the World Curling Federation. The sport is for non-ambulatory athletes and those who only walk short distances and primarily use a wheelchair for mobility. The sport is an adaptation of traditional curling played with the same rocks, though thrown from a stationary wheelchair and without the use of sweeping.

Fun fact: the Chinese Paralympic Curling Team won gold in 2018. They are the ones to beat on their home turf in 2022!

Learn More about Wheelchair Curling:

http://cpisra.org/wheelchair-curling/

https://www.paralympic.org/wheelchair-curling

https://www.usacurling.org/