Pawel Babicki finishes race on one leg
The whole skiing world is buzzing after seeing this video of Polish skier Pawel Babicki, who pulled off a stunning race at the Stelvio downhill in Italy last week. After losing his left ski not even halfway into the World Cup race, the courageous 23-year-old skier managed to finish the steep course skiing on just one leg. Babicki finished last out of 67 competitors, 36 seconds slower than winner Dominik Paris, who won the race. However, he drew wild applause from the crowd and still hopes to qualify for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, Korea. An inspirational feat if we ever saw one!
Babicki said he was inspired by Bode Miller’s performance in 2005. The American skier also finished a race with only one ski, also on the Stelvio downhill in Bornio. According to The Associated Press, Babicki claimed that “It was a spontaneous decision. When I lost the ski I was like, ‘Come on, I’ve seen Bode Miller’s run so many times. I’m going to do everything I can to reach the finish.” Although proud of his performance, Babicki acknowledged that Miller finished 100 metres faster than he did. The young skier said he hoped to meet his idol one day and maybe get some tips from him.
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
