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Joe Tompkins
Joe Tompkins (born 20 August 1968 in Juneau, Alaska[1]) is an American professional skier. Early lifeJoe Tompkins 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] Professional skiingIn 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. [3] Life away from skiingJoe has a teenage son. During the summer he coaches a little league baseball team.[4] He is also a motivational speaker and an avid golfer.[5] Joe has taken part in many golf tournaments, including the Undegraff Vision Celebrity Golf Challenge, and has a handicap of 34.[6]
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