Joe Tompkins

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Joe Tompkins
Picture of Joe
Picture of Joe
Personal information
Full name Joe Tompkins
Date of birth 20th August 1968
Place of birth Juneau, Alaska, USA

Contents

[edit] Early life

Joe Tompkins was born in Juneau, Alaska on the 20th August 1968.[1] He was a recreational skier until a car crash left him without the use of his legs. For two years after the accident Joe took up drugs and booze, and nearly killed himself [2]. However he stopped after a couple of years and carried on skiing and in January 1989 he started as an arroya sled ‘sit skier’. He quickly moved on to monoski in the following years. [3]

[edit] Professional skiing

In May 1999 he joined the United States Disabled Alpine Men’s Ski Team (USDST). He won the first IPC Disabled Alpine World Cup race in Breckenridge, Colorado in December 1999. In his second season with the USDST he came 6th place in the downhill competition in the world championships. In 2002 he achieved one of his targets by taking part in the Winter Paralympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the top U.S racer in his class. In January 2003 Joe came 2nd in the Huntsman’s Cup Super-G race also in Utah. During January 2004, in Wildschönau, Austria he won the IPC Disabled Alpine World Cup Super-G. In March 2005 Joe finished first in the IPC Disabled Alpine World Cup downhill race in Klosters, Switzerland. In 2006 he took part in the Winter Paralympics in Torino, Italy. He is currently the 5th best mono-skier in the United States and 12th best in the world. [4]

[edit] Life away from skiing

Joe has a teenage son. During the summer he coaches a little league baseball team. [5] He is also a motivational speaker and an avid golfer.[6] Joe has taken part in many golf tournaments, including the Undegraff Vision Celebrity Golf Challenge, and has a handicap of 34. [7]

"Joe's an example of everything we want in an athlete, and in a human being. He gives and gives and gives and never asks for anything... I had the most amazing experience playing golf with Joe... The only thing Joe complained about was ... actually, I don't think he complained about anything. Not even the sand traps. Whatta day. It changed my life." Bob Condron, Director of Media Services – United States Olympic Committee; & Commission Member- International Olympic Committee

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Persondata
NAME Tompkins, Joe
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Tompkins, Joseph
SHORT DESCRIPTION Disabled Skier, Avid golfer, Motivational speaker
DATE OF BIRTH 20th August 1968
PLACE OF BIRTH Juneau, Alaska
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH
Languages