Kirk Schornstein
Para-alpineSchornstein raced against able-bodied athletes until he was a teenager. Competing in the standing category (he has congenital paralysis of his right arm), Schornstein was a consistent top-10 IPC World Cup finisher in 2012, and was the men’s Canadian slalom champion in 2013 after battling back from a knee surgery that kept him from competing in the 2012-13 IPC World Cup circuit. At the age of 17, he had four top-15 finishes at the 2011 IPC world championships. Schornstein plays volleyball and helps out with the family mechanical contracting business in his hometown of Spruce Grove, Alta.
Top Results
12th – Downhill – IPC World Championships – Sestriere, Italy (2011)
1st – Giant slalom – USA Nationals - Alyeska, Alaska, USA (2011)
1st – Giant slalom – Canadian Para-Alpine Championships – Sun Peaks, B.C. (2009)
IPC World Cup rankings:
(2011-12)
Overall: 8th
Slalom: 6th
Giant slalom: 10th
Super combined: 8th
Super-G: 9th
| Birth date: | 19/03/1993 |
| Birth place: | Edmonton, Alta. |
| Residence: | Spruce Grove, Alta. |
| Hometown: | Spruce Grove, Alta. |
| Ski club: | Alberta Ski Academy |
| Made team: | 2009 |
| Height: | 5-11 |
| Weight: | 163 pounds |
| Skis: | Volkl |
| Boots: | Dalbello |
| Poles: | Komperdell |
| Helmet: | Uvex |
| Goggles: | Uvex |
Nicknames: Kickstand - because I have a kickstand on my road bike plus my initials are KS.
Best moment in skiing: Going to the Paralympics in Vancouver 2010 and finishing as the top Canadian in the slalom event. Also getting top 15 in most of the events at the 2011 World championship in Sestriere, Italy.
Worst moment in skiing: Crashing in the 2011 Austria championships on the first day of racing.
What one thing would you change about skiing: More on the front of my boot and not riding my tails.
Best World Cup stop: Giant Slalom events in Arte Terme, Italy, in 2011. I was in eighth position after the first run and finished 10th.
Person you look up to most in the sport: Didier Cuche.
On your iPod: Dance, electronic, house and techno.
Favourite movie (and why): Fast Five. There is a lot of teamwork involved in this movie. They are all striving to have a good life and fast cars are really cool!
Favourite hockey team: Vancouver Canucks because they have speed and the team works well together.
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why? Snowboarder Shaun White (I just really want to hear about his childhood).
Something no-one knows about you: I’m attempting to become a DJ, playing at nightclubs and radio stations.
Favourite activities other than skiing: Volleyball and helping my dad building different kinds of interesting stuff.
Superstitions: I always inhale a lot of oxygen and exhale out slowly while keeping consistent movement with my legs.
If a movie was made about your life, who should play the lead role? I have no idea!
What’s a talent you wish you had? Car mechanic skills.
If you weren’t a skier what would you be? Working in the family business.
Funniest thing you’ve seen in ski racing: A guy skiing slalom in a black bear suit . . . very funny!
Most embarrassing moment: You have to ask my mother.
Describe yourself in three words: Different, positive and assertive.
IPC World Cup finishes in the top 10
7th – Slalom – Panorama, B.C. (March 2012)
8th – Super combined – Panorama, B.C. (March 2012)
8th – Super-G – Panorama, B.C. (March 2012)
9th – Super-G – Panorama, B.C. (March 2012)
8th – Slalom – Winter Park, USA (March 2012)
8th – Super-G – Winter Park, USA (March 2012)
10th – Giant slalom – La Molina, SPA (Feb. 2012)
8th – Slalom – La Molina, SPA (Feb. 2012)
6th – Slalom – Arta Terme, ITA (Jan. 2012)
10th – Giant slalom – Arta Terme, ITA (2011)
10th – Slalom – Arta Terme, ITA (2011)
2010 Paralympic Winter Games – Whistler, B.C.
25th – Slalom
25th – Giant slalom
26th – Super-G
IPC World Ski Championships
12th – Downhill – Sestriere, ITA (2011)
13th – Super-G – Sestriere, ITA (2011)
13th – Super combined – Sestriere, ITA (2011)
16th – Slalom – Sestriere, ITA (2011)
14th – Giant slalom – Sestriere, ITA (2011)
