Alpine Achievement
 Lori J. Batcheller
 (Reviewed by The Editor - Rebecca Brown)
 2002 1st Books Library
  ISBN: 0759684553
Amazon's price is: $25.45

A Chronicle of the United States Disabled Ski Team with a Foreword by Picabo Street.

“...two weeks after the Olympic torch[at the Winter Olympic Games] is extinguished, 1,100 athletes, several thousand volunteers, and close to 150,000 spectators will once again converge on Salt Lake City. The torch will be re-lit, and skiers who are the best in the world will once again hurtle themselves down the steep and icy Snowbasin runs at speed exceeding 65 miles an hour, chasing after gold...[o]nly this time, the skiers careening down the rock-hard gullies and blind knolls of the Wildflower Downhill will be missing a limb. Or they'll be blind. Or paralyzed from the chest down and strapped into a thirty-five-pound mono-ski bucket that doesn't detach in a fall...this is the other Olympics -- the Paralympics.” So writes Picabo Street about her awe when she witnesses the feats “accomplished by those of us who ski race...without the use of [their] legs [or eyes].”

First time author Lori J. Batcheller has worked up an eminently readable history book & catalogue of the who, why, what, when & how of Disabled Skiing.

In Chapter 1 she details A History of Disabled Skiing from its beginnings after WWII when wounded mountain troops wanted to get back to what they loved best -- skiing. How they designed runs & skis makes for a fascinating read.

In the Evolution of Adaptive Skiing, we learn how the contraptions for able-bodied skiers were adapted to accommodate the bodies & intentions of Disabled Skiers -- wedges, cants, lifts & equalizers of all sorts of materials.

The Medical Classification and Scoring chapter is a catalogue of data, designed to give interested readers, all they need to know about how they fit in, & who will sponsor them. Namely, Disabled Sports USA (DS/USA) & NASTAR courses.

As if skiing without a leg or legs or arms isn't challenge enough, there is a chapter on Skiing Blind. Enter the U. S. Association for Blind Athletes. What an eye-opener!

The names of the great Disabled Skiers are legends now & Lori J. Batcheller tells their stories: Brian Santos, Andy Parr, David Marchi, Erle Morse, Greg Mannino, Monte Meier, Jason Lalla, Bob Emerson, Dan Kosick, Sandy Dukat, Chris Devlin-Young, Carl Burnett, Adam Fromma, Csilla Kristof, Chris Griffin, Clay Fox, Diana Golden-Brosnihan, Mary Ridell, George Sansonetis, Jacob Rife, Sarah Will, Muffy Davis, Allison Pearl, Lee Joiner, Lacey Heward, et al.

Then come the stories of those who work Behind The Scenes -- the coaches, technicians, guides & support staff.

Chapter 10 is all about Training: how, when & with what. A grueling enough schedule for folks with all of their appendages, for those without, a testament to our human endurance & obsession.

For those of us with snow, speed & skis in our blood, whether we have all our limbs or not, this all comes naturally & Alpine Achievement is a book worthy of their efforts. For those of us without that passion, this is a book that will light a torch in your heart & soul.

“Lori Batcheller's Alpine Achievement is both an enjoyable read and comprehensive resource for anyone with an interest in disabled alpine skiing. From stories of the athlete's adjustment to their disability to their experience training for and skiing with the USDST to the historical perspective of the sport, this book covers it all.” Christopher Reeve, Chairman of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation.

I couldn't have said it better! Remember, December 3 is International Day of Disabled Persons.

An exciting & informative edition to your sports library.
(11/17/02)

Rebecca