By Jim Kanak
Staff Columnist
WELLS —
Alex Tomaszewski, 15, is the 2009 Junior Adaptive Alpine Champion in the United States.
Tomaszewski earned the title by sweeping five events at the International Paralympic Committee’s national meet last week in Winter Park, Colo.
“It felt nice,” Tomaszewski said. “I was relieved after every run and would look at my times and the place I was in.”
In his class, that was first in each of the downhill, Super G, slalom, grand slalom, and combined (super G and slalom) events, earning him five gold medals. In addition, Tomaszewski said he placed in the top 10 in every overall event, racing against the nation’s top adaptive skiers.
Tomaszewski also competed in a NORAM downhill race in Winter Park and won that race also, earning a sixth gold medal.
The son of John and Chris Tomaszewski of Wells, Alex was born in Russia without the lower part of his right leg and with only one and a half fingers on his left hand. The Tomaszewski’s adopted Alex when he was 15 months old and brought him to Wells. He skis for Maine Handicap Skiing under coaches Diane Barras and John Freeman.
This is a follow-up to last week’s front page article on Tomaszewski.
Staff Columnist
WELLS —
Alex Tomaszewski, 15, is the 2009 Junior Adaptive Alpine Champion in the United States.
Tomaszewski earned the title by sweeping five events at the International Paralympic Committee’s national meet last week in Winter Park, Colo.
“It felt nice,” Tomaszewski said. “I was relieved after every run and would look at my times and the place I was in.”
In his class, that was first in each of the downhill, Super G, slalom, grand slalom, and combined (super G and slalom) events, earning him five gold medals. In addition, Tomaszewski said he placed in the top 10 in every overall event, racing against the nation’s top adaptive skiers.
Tomaszewski also competed in a NORAM downhill race in Winter Park and won that race also, earning a sixth gold medal.
The son of John and Chris Tomaszewski of Wells, Alex was born in Russia without the lower part of his right leg and with only one and a half fingers on his left hand. The Tomaszewski’s adopted Alex when he was 15 months old and brought him to Wells. He skis for Maine Handicap Skiing under coaches Diane Barras and John Freeman.
This is a follow-up to last week’s front page article on Tomaszewski.
