Alexandra Starker
Para-alpineStarker raced five years in able-bodied racing and is a promising future podium contender. In her first full year on the team (2012-13), Starker ranked as the top female Canadian in para-alpine skiing by earning four podium finishes at IPC World Cups and the world championships. The Calgary, Alta., native studied at the National Sport School in Calgary and likes to read and create colourful works of art with her paintbrush. A congenital arm amputee, Starker is also a member of the Canadian sitting volleyball team.
Top Results
3rd – Giant slalom, slalom, super combined – IPC World Championships – La Molina, SPA (2013)
1st – Slalom and giant slalom – Canada Winter Games – Halifax, N.S. (2011)
2011, 2013 Canadian slalom champion
IPC World Cup rankings:
(2012-13)
Overall: 7th
Slalom: 8th
Giant slalom: 5th
| Birth date: | 30/06/1994 |
| Birth place: | Calgary, Alta. |
| Residence: | Calgary, Alta. |
| Hometown: | Calgary, Alta. |
| Ski club: | Team Panorama, FAST |
| Made team: | 2012 |
| Height: | 5-1 |
| Weight: | 130 pounds |
| Skis: | Head |
| Boots: | Lange |
| Poles: | Leki |
| Helmet: | Uvex |
| Goggles: | Uvex |
Nickname: Sandbag
Best moment in ski racing: Competing at the 2012 World Cup Finals in Panorama, B.C., at my home hill.
Worst moment in ski racing: Crashing while technical freeskiing in December 2008 and breaking my right leg (tib/fib).
What one thing would you change about ski racing? The weather. I’d make every day clear, blue skies and warm but with perfect snow conditions still.
Best World Cup stop: I haven’t skied many World Cups yet but so far World Cup Finals at Pano (Panorama) were the best!
Person you look up to most in ski racing: Nancy Greene and Ken Read because they both carved the way for ski racing in Canada and remain involved to this day. Even when I was in K1 I remember them volunteering at the races and presenting medals.
On your iPod: A mixture on music.
Favourite movie: Spirited Away, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Aladdin or Grease. The first two are both very artistic and original. Plus, the musicals are fun to sing and dance along to.
Hockey team (and why): I don’t watch hockey.
Goals for the 2012-13 season: Podium at a World Cup.
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? The Queen of England. I’d love to hear about the monarchy and what life is actually like in Buckingham Palace. Or Ellen DeGeneres, she’s just so charismatic and interesting and I imagine dinner with her would be a lot of fun.
Something no-one knows about you: One of my life dreams is to have a giant bunny rabbit, the kind that are bred in Germany to be around 20 pounds when fully grown.
Favourite activities other than skiing: Volleyball, rowing, soccer, reading and painting.
Superstitions: “It’s bad luck to say good luck on opening night.”
If a movie was made about your life, who should play the lead role? Me.
What’s a talent you wish you had? Playing the guitar. I’m currently learning but I have a long way to go.
If you weren’t a skier what would you be? A lawyer or doctor . . . or both!
Funniest thing you’ve seen in ski racing: (Retired Canadian alpine racer) Anna Goodman’s final run last season in a banana suit.
Most embarrassing moment: Well . . . I won’t be sharing that here.
Describe yourself in three words: Charismatic, tiny, super.
Top-10 finishes
3rd - Giant slalom - Sestriere, ITA (Jan. 2013)
4th - Giant slalom - Sestriere, ITA (Jan. 2013)
6th - Slalom - Sestriere, ITA (Jan. 2013)
4th - Slalom - Sestriere, ITA (Jan. 2013)
5th - Giant slalom - St. Moritz, SUI (Jan. 2013)
6th - Giant slalom - St. Moritz, SUI (Jan. 2013)
5th - Slalom - St. Moritz, SUI (Jan. 2013)
7th – Slalom – Panorama, B.C. (March 2012)
7th – Giant slalom – Winter Park, USA (March 2012)
6th – Giant slalom – Winter Park, USA (March 2012)
7th – Slalom – Winter Park, USA (March 2012)
2013 Canadian slalom champion
2011 Canadian slalom champion
IPC World Alpine Skiing Championships
3rd - Giant slalom - La Molina, SPA (Feb. 2013)
3rd - Super combined - La Molina, SPA (Feb. 2013)
3rd - Slalom - La Molina, SPA (Feb. 2013)
7th - Super-G - La Molina, SPA (Feb. 2013)
7th - downhill - La Molina, SPA (Feb. 2013)
Nor-Am Cup podiums
1st – Slalom – Copper Mountain, USA (Dec. 2012)
2nd – Super-G – Copper Mountain, USA (Dec. 2012)
1st – Super-G – Copper Mountain, USA (Dec. 2012)
1st – Downhill – Kimberley, B.C. (Feb. 2012)
1st – Downhill – Kimberley, B.C. (Feb. 2012)
1st – Super-G – Kimberley, B.C. (Feb. 2012)
1st – Super-G – Kimberley, B.C. (Feb. 2012)
1st – Giant slalom – Waterville Valley, USA (Jan. 2012)
1st – Giant slalom – Waterville Valley, USA (Jan. 2012)
1st – Slalom – Waterville Valley, USA (Jan. 2012)
2nd – Slalom – Waterville Valley, USA (Jan. 2012)
1st – Slalom – Copper Mountain, USA (Dec. 2011)
1st – Slalom – Copper Mountain, USA (Dec. 2011)
1st – Giant slalom – Copper Mountain, USA (Dec. 2011)
1st – Giant slalom – Copper Mountain, USA (Dec. 2011)
