U.S. Paralympics announced that Kevin Jardine has been named associate
director and head coach of the Paralympic Military and Veterans Alpine Skiing
Program. Jardine has more than 16 years of experience in high performance and
coaching, and he has coached athletes in the last four Paralympic Winter Games.
“Kevin is one of the top Paralympic alpine coaches in the
world,” Charlie Huebner, chief of Paralympics, United States Olympic
Committee, said in a news release. “His addition to our program provides
significant leadership to enhance Paralympic skiing in the U.S.”
In his new role with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), Jardine
will collaborate with Disabled Sports USA (DSUSA), Paralympic ski programs and
the U.S. Adaptive Alpine Ski Team, to identify and train developmental and
emerging injured service members who have the talent to pursue excellence at
the Paralympic Games. As an aspect of U.S. Paralympics’ planning and
analysis, high priority has been placed on the identification and development
of athletes that can be trained to compete for Paralympic Alpine National Team
programs, another key area of emphasis for Jardine. He will continue to be
based in Aspen, Colo.
“I am really excited about expanding this program and building
depth in our athlete pool,” Jardine said. “Having the program in
Aspen will also be exciting, as the ski area is top notch and the community
support is unparalleled. It’s definitely a great challenge ahead, and
I’m looking forward to it.”
Jardine is the former head coach of the U.S. Disabled Alpine Ski Team
and the 2006 U.S. Paralympic Alpine Ski Team. He created and led the Challenge
Aspen racing program for the past few years, which has had great success in the
development of military and veteran athletes towards success in Paralympic
alpine skiing.
He received the Amazing Leader Award from the USOC in 2007 and the
International Disabled Coach of the Year in 2006 from U.S. Ski and Snowboard
Association.
