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NOV/DEC 2019
Ripping up the Saas-Fee Glacier at October’s U.S. Team training camp. (photo courtesy of Ravi Drugan)
OOM: You were recently selected for
the US Paralympics Alpine National
Team. How many years has this been
in the making and what is the feeling
now that you are finally on the team?
How were you selected?
RD: When X Games cut all skier, snow-
boarding and mono cross events from
the Winter X Games, I decided to get
back into alpine racing and started train-
ing in Park City, Utah with the National
Ability Center on their Alpine Ski Team.
It was never really my goal to be on the
team, I just wanted to beat the best
skiers and be the best skier I can be. It’s
truly an honor to be on the team! The
selection process is based off my IPC
(International Paralympic Committee)
points and world rankings.
OOM: You’ve already been to Swit-
zerland for training this fall with the
US Team. What is your winter looking
like? How much national and inter-
national travel are you expecting?
I know you have expenses beyond
what the team covers, can people
donate directly to you or does all
money needs to go to the US team in
your name?
RD: It’s looking fun! It’s gonna be my
first season racing World Cup, so most
of the races are in Europe. Yes, people
can donate directly to me. And they
can make donations toward my fees
for the season directly to the USOC
(United States Olympic Committee) and
if someone wants to be added to my
sponsor list, I’d love to hear from them.
OOM: So you are on the Alpine Team,
will that be mostly racing gates?
What are the disciplines in the World
Cup and Paralympics?
RD: Yes, I’ll be racing Slalom, GS, Super
G, and Downhill. There is also Super
Combined.
OOM: Will there be time for freeski-
ing and fun competitions like Dirk-
sen Derby, X-Games, Big Wave, and
Prequel?
RD: There’s always time for freeskiing,
I am gonna have to miss the Derby this
year because I’m gonna be racing at
Mammoth, but hopefully I can make
some fun comps like the Big Wave and
Prequel.
OOM: The next Paralympics are in
Beijing, China in 2022. Are you setting
that as the ultimate goal right now?
RD: Yes, the games are in 2022 in Bei-
jing, China. It’s a goal but I wouldn’t say
ultimate goal.
OOM: You use the Hands On Con-
cepts Mono Ski. Is it the best product
out there that you have found? Have
you ever broken your gear?
RD: Actually, I am now riding a Hydra
monoski made by DynAccess. Yes it is
for sure the best monoski put out there.
No, I have a pretty bullet proof setup.
Adaptive Sports, my coaches Erik Leir-
fallon, Shannon Dallas and everyone at
the National Ability Center in Park City,
Utah. I know I wouldn’t be where I am
without them and everyone that’s helped
me do what I love.
OOM: Give us a rundown on some
of your competition achievements in
skiing?
RD: Getting a medal at the Winter X
Games is one for sure. Most years,
podium in the Dirksen Derby, getting
second place at the Prequel last year
was pretty cool and competing in Big
Wave Challenge. OOM: What was it like growing up in
Eugene? Is Eugene where you still
call home? Did you ski and do other
sports before your accident?
RD: I guess I liked growing up here
because I still call it home, I have been
to a lot of places and Eugene I think
will always be home.I skied a couple
of times before my accident but most
just snow plowing down Marshmallow. I
skateboarded all the time before school
at lunch after school with my dad. I
played soccer and baseball when I was
little, and played some water polo in
high school.
OOM: Who are some of the people
or companies that have helped you
along the way? How has (OAS) Or-
egon Adaptive Sports helped you? Do
you think you would be where you are
today without them?
RD: My mom and dad, Kendall Cook,
Ben Sparrow and everyone at Oregon OOM: You were 15 when you were run
over by a train, you almost died, and
lost both legs. At that time did you
think your life was over? Who was by
your side during your recovery? How
long did it take you to realize and
accept your life was going to be very
different?
Ravi shreds it all, including the steeps next to the Pinnacles off the summit of Mt. Bachelor.
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