 2022 Winter Paralympics Portrait | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |  Australia |
| Born | 2 February 1996 |
| Sport | |
| Country | Australia |
| Sport | Para-alpine skiing |
| Disability class | B2 |
| Event(s) | Downhill Super-G Giant Slalom Slalom Super Combined |
Patrick Jensen (born 27 February 1996) is a B2 classified visually impaired Para-alpine skier from Australia. He represented Australia at the 2018 Winter Paralympics and the 2022 Winter Paralympics. [1]
At the age of seven, Jensen was diagnosed with macular dystrophy and Stargardt disease at the age of seven. [2] Jensen has 70 per cent sight in his left eye, but his right is 70 per cent blind. [3] He is the drummer of Newcastle, New South Wales based skramz band George Booth. [2] In 2018, he was studying massage therapy at Evolve College and considering a career in physiotherapy after 2018 Winter Paralympics. [2]
In 2013, Jensen attended a Disabled Wintersport Australia camp. [2] In 2013, he debuted for Australia at the IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup in Thredbo, New South Wales. [2] With his guide Lara Falk, they finished third in the Men's Giant Slalom B2 and Super-G B2 at the 2017 IPC Alpine Skiing Europa Cup in Veysonnaz, Switzerland. [2] At the 2017 World Para-alpine Skiing Championships in Tarvisio, Italy, they finished ninth in the Men's Slalom B2. [2]
At the 2018 Winter Paralympics, he competed in two events - 11th in the Men's Giant Slalom Visually Impaired and did not finish in the Men's Slalom Visually Impaired. [4]
At the 2019 World Para Alpine Skiing Championships in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, he finished seventh in both the Men's Downhill and Slalom Visually Impaired and ninth in the Men's Giant Slalom Visually Impaired. [5]
At the 2022 Winter Paralympics with his guide Amelia Hodgson, he competed in five events - 6th in Super G and 8th in the Downhill and Slalom Visually Impaired events. He failed to finish in the Giant Slalom and Super G Combined. [6]
Paralympic alpine skiing is an adaptation of alpine skiing for athletes with a disability. The sport evolved from the efforts of disabled veterans in Germany and Austria during and after the Second World War. The sport is governed by the International Paralympic Committee Sports Committee. The primary equipment used includes outrigger skis, sit-skis, and mono-skis. Para-alpine skiing disciplines include the downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, super combined, and snowboard.
Paralympic alpine skiing has been competed at the Winter Paralympic Games since they were first held in 1976. Events include men's and women's downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, and combined.
Alpine skiing at the 2002 Winter Paralympics consisted of 53 events, 34 for men and 19 for women which all took place at the Snowbasin Ski Area.
Alpine skiing at the 1998 Winter Paralympics consisted of 54 events, 35 for men and 19 for women.
Alpine skiing at the 1994 Winter Paralympics, in Lillehammer (Norway), consisted of 66 events, 46 for men and 20 for women.
Jon Santacana Maiztegui is a Spanish B2 classified visually impaired para-alpine skier. His sighted ski guide is Miguel Galindo Garces. Santacana has competed at the IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships, in the European Cup and the IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup, and Spanish national competitions. He represented Spain at the 2002 Winter Paralympics, 2006 Winter Paralympics and 2010 Winter Paralympics, earning a gold medal and a pair of silver medals at the 2010 Games.
The 1994 Winter Paralympics were held in Lillehammer, Norway. Australia sent six male skiers, who won three gold, two silver and four bronze medals. Australia, at the time, achieved their best ever performance at a Winter Paralympics, finishing 5th overall in the alpine skiing competition, 9th in the medal standings, and 11th in the total medal count out of 31 nations.
LW10 is a para-alpine and para-Nordic sit-skiing classification for skiers who cannot sit up without support. For international skiing competitions, classification is conducted by IPC Alpine Skiing and IPC Nordic Skiing, while national federations such as Alpine Canada handle classification for domestic competitions.
LW5/7 is a standing para-alpine and para-Nordic skiing classification for skiers with upper extremity issues in both limbs that may include double amputation of both arms and hands or dysmelia of the upper limbs. The class has three subclasses defined by the location of the disability on the upper extremities. International classification is done by IPC Alpine Skiing and IPC Nordic Skiing. On the national level, classification is handled by national sports federation such as Cross-Country Canada.
Melissa Perrine is a B2 classified visually impaired para-alpine skier from Australia. She has competed at the four Winter Paralympics from 2010 to 2022. At the 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships, she won three gold, one silver and one bronze medals. At the 2018 Winter Paralympics, she won two bronze medals.
Mitchell Gourley is an Australian Paralympic alpine skier who competed for Australia in the downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom and super combined events at four Winter Paralympics - 2010 to 2022. He was Australian team co-captain with Joany Badenhorst at the 2018 Winter Paralympics. At the 2022 Winter Paralympics, he and Melissa Perrine carried the Australian flag in the opening ceremony. At the 2017 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships in Tarvisio, Italy he won the gold medal in the men's Super Combined Standing.
Andy Bor is an Australian former ski coach and sighted guide for visually impaired skiers. He was a coach at the 2006 Winter Paralympics in Torino, and was Melissa Perrine's guide skier at the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver and 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi.
Macmilton "Mac" Marcoux is a Canadian Paralympic alpine skier who won three titles at the IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup at the age of 15. With guide Robin Femy, he won three medals in alpine skiing at the 2014 Winter Paralympics, including gold in the men's visually impaired giant slalom. He also has numerous awards including being inducted into the Sault Ste. Marie Walk of Fame. He has an older brother and a younger sister. He also enjoys riding BMX and mountain bikes.
The 2015 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships was an international disability sport alpine skiing event held in Panorama Mountain Village, British Columbia, Canada from March 2 to 10, 2015. The Championship is held biannually by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and is the largest event of its type outside the Winter Paralympics.
The 2013 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships was an international disability sport alpine skiing event held in La Molina ski resort in Spain from 18 to 27 February 2013. The Championship is held biannually by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and is the largest event of its type outside the Winter Paralympics.
Shaun Pianta is a B2 classified visually impaired Para-alpine skier from Australia. His guide in 2018 is Jeremy O'Sullivan. He represented Australia at the 2018 Winter Paralympics.
Giacomo Bertagnolli is a male Italian paralympic alpine skier, and is a four-time Paralympic Games gold medal winner.
Lara Falk is an Australian skier and sighted guide for visually impaired skiers. She was Patrick Jensen's guide at the 2018 Winter Paralympics.
Alpine skiing was one of the competitions at the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing, China. In total, 30 medal events were held.
Amelia Hodgson is an Australian skier and sighted guide for visually impaired skiers. She was Patrick Jensen's guide at the 2022 Winter Paralympics.