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Paralympics: Cross Country Draws Top Athletes

Shelley Osterloh
KSL-TV

      Cross country skiing is one of the most grueling sports and requires top physical conditioning, especially aerobic conditioning.
      Paralympians did not disappoint, and the USA won a couple more medals.
      Salt Lake resident Steve Cook won his second silver medal of the week, this time in the 10 K standing race.      

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      Cook lost his lower right leg in a 1988 farming accident and competes against other skiers who have a disability in one or both legs.
      "I skied as hard as I could and I'm happy with silver," Cook said.
      In the same race, Salt Lake born Mike Crenshaw finished 9th.
      A 1973 tractor accident took Crenshaw's right foot and part of his leg. He skis on a bionic foot.
      "It's got a leaf spring right here, and it's basically a shock absorber," Crenshaw said. "This is my own design. It's pretty crude, but basically I just drilled holes in the foot and bolted the shoe on. It's just the bottom of the ski boot, bolted on."
      In another standing division, Willie Stewart finished 11th. He says this is the toughest field of competitors he's ever seen.
      "It's a heck of a course, unbelievable course out there, test you to the limits. And those guys, tough as nails, hats off to them. Great racers," Stewart said.
      Paralympic athletes are divided into three categories: Standing, sitting, and visually impaired.
      And within each category, athletes are assigned a sport class based on functioning ability.
      Skiers who are visually impaired ski with a guide who verbally coaches them along the track.
      American Rob Walsh says it requires trust, communication and knowing the course.
      "Sometimes he has to move to the side of the hill where you don't want to be, and it's important for me to know the course at that point," Walsh said. "When he's in front I can just follow along."
      Candace Cable has won the Boston wheelchair marathon six times. She says cross country skiing is even more challenging, but also lots of fun.
      "It is so rewarding, and it gives somebody with mobility impairments an opportunity to explore an area that everybody else gets to," Cable said. "So I love this piece of equipment."
      And late Tuesday afternoon, USA won another silver medal, this time by Bob Balk in the Sit-ski division. Bob took bronze in Nagano, so he's building up his collection.
      Wednesday, men and women team up for the cross country relay races.