On Tuesday, Feb. 25, five veterans who lost a leg in the current war in Ukraine arrived to spend two weeks in Corvallis and Hoodoo Ski Area learning 3-track adaptive skiing. And they are accompanied by two Ukrainian certified ski instructors who will learn how to teach 3-track.
With tens of thousands of amputees because of the current war, there is a need for adaptive sports to develop in Ukraine. One Ukrainian ski area offers “sit skiing” with escorts for those who cannot ski on two skis, but this program will introduce 3-track skiing, which is considered best for leg amputees because they are able to ski completely independently.
3-Track skiing
Certified ski instructors from Oregon Adaptive Sports will teach the amputees how to ski on one ski with outriggers. The Ukrainian amputees will receive outriggers to take home, and the instructors will take additional sets of outriggers for teaching instructors and other amputees in Ukraine.
The program is sponsored by Corvallis Sister Cities Association, which has had a relationship with Uzhhorod, Ukraine for more than thirty years. Additional support is provided by several private donors, Hoodoo Ski Area, Enabling Technologies, and Oregon Adaptive Sports.
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