Calgary, AB (August 16, 2018) – Kirk Schornstein (Spruce Grove, Alta.), member of the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team is announcing his official retirement from Alpine Canada.

Kirk was born with congenital paralysis of his right arm and started skiing when he was only 2 years-old. A downhill skier since the age of nine, Schornstein suffers from Erb’s Palsy and doesn’t have the use of his right arm, meaning he skis with just one pole. He has raced against able-bodied athletes until he was a teenager. At the age of 17, competing in the standing category, he had four top-15 finishes at the 2011 IPC World Championships.  The following year, he was a consistent top-10 IPC World Cup finisher.

Schornstein now 25, is an alpine skier with three previous Paralympics under his belt, having earned himself a 25th placing in the 2010 Vancouver Paralympics — an impressive result given he was the youngest competing Canadian athlete at the time. He continued that success, earning himself a 12th place finish at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. At the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, Kirk scored a sixth place in downhill.

A season that Schornstein will never forget is the one where he performed exceptionally well: the 2017 IPC World Championships in Tarvisio, ITA where he captured silver in the downhill. A podium that made him, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the whole country proud. He also posted three other top-ten finishes including fourth-places in both the super-G and super combined.

“The things I’ve learned, seen and done while being in this sport will stay with me forever. Whether it’s a life lesson or a memory, it will stick with me and I leave this sport with a strong head on my shoulders. I won’t be a stranger as I’m sure I’ll miss going fast on skis and maybe go back on skis in the masters racing program or volunteer at many events. I’d like to try and help a young athlete get to their Olympic/Paralympic dream. But the next chapter of my life is ready to be written with school ready to go and a girlfriend I’m ready to make many more great memories with. Thank you to everyone who has gotten me to this point and supported my athletic career.”

Next up for Kirk, he will pursue his education at the University of Lethbridge in business management branching on to finance.

Alpine Canada and the Canadian Para-Alpine Team wishes Kirk Schornstein the best of luck in whatever the future holds. Thank you for your dedication, passion and proudly representing this organization and your country.

ABOUT ALPINE CANADA

Alpine Canada is the national governing body for alpine, para-alpine and ski cross racing in Canada. With the support of valued corporate partners along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium and the Canadian Olympic Committee, Alpine Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic, world championship and World Cup medallists to stimulate visibility, inspiration and growth in the ski community.