Introducing the Athletes of Adaptive Snowboard Banked Slalom

For the second straight year, adaptive snowboarding is coming to Dew Tour with the help of Adaptive Action Sports. But this year there’s a new twist, the event will be sanctioned by World Para Snowboard as a NorAm competition.

The upcoming 2018 Paralympic program will feature para snowboarding disciplines snowboard cross and banked slalom. Banked slalom will be contested in three different divisions at Dew Tour, two for athletes with leg impairments and one for arm impairments. Athletes will take individual timed runs down the course to determine final rankings.

As the Paralympics approach, the U.S. team will be made up of strong medal contenders. Below are a few of the names to know for Dew Tour Breckenridge and beyond. Watch the event live at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time, December 15 on DewTour.com.
Photos by: George Crosland

As the Paralympics approach, the U.S has a strong team of medal contenders. Below are a few of the names to know for Breckenridge and beyond.

Mike Minor
Classification: SB-UL

Since making his international debut in November 2015, Mike Minor has been a dominant force in para snowboarding. He competed in his first World Championships in 2017, Where he earned gold in snowboard cross and silver in banked slalom. Minor, who was born without a right forearm, also captured the overall World Cup title that same season.

Evan Strong
Classification: SB-LL2

As a teenager Evan Strong was an avid skateboarder. But after being struck by a drunk driver while riding a motorcycle at age 17, Strong’s left leg was partially amputated and his focus shifted toward snowboarding. Strong is now one of the top para snowboarders. He won a world title in 2012 and has since added three silver medals from the World Championships to his collection. He competed at the 2014 Paralympic Games, where snowboarding made its Paralympic debut, and won the sport’s first gold medal in snowboard cross.

Brenna Huckaby
Classification: SB-LL1

After the discovery of bone cancer in Brenna Huckaby’s femur resulted in the amputation of her right leg in 2010, she shifted her love of gymnastics and sophisticated sense of body awareness entirely to snowboarding. Huckaby has since discovered a newfound love for the slopes and has become one of the world’s top para snowboarders. So far, she has won a total of three world titles–including titles in both snowboard cross and banked slalom in 2017–and now has her sights set on the Paralympic Games in 2018. Huckaby has earned great success on the snow despite the fact that she grew up in Louisiana, far away from any mountain. Aside from snowboarding, Huckaby is also a mother. She gave birth to her first daughter, Lilah, in May of 2016.

Amy Purdy
Classification: SB-LL1

Amy Purdy is one of the most well-known Paralympic athletes, but she has also garnered attention for her off-the-snow endeavors. Purdy appeared on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2014. She is also the cofounder of Adaptive Action Sports, a non-profit organization with the goal to help “create opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities to get involved in skateboarding and snowboarding, as well as other action sports.” At the last Paralympic Games in 2014, Purdy, who is a double amputee below the knee as a result of bacterial meningitis, captured a bronze medal in snowboard cross.

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Dew Tour Debuts World Para Snowboard Adaptive Competition Presented By Toyota