Think Out Loud Bend paraplegic skier qualifies for 2026 Paralympic Winter Games
Feb 24, 2026
Anna Soens, an alpine sit-skier and wildlife biologist from Bend who recovered from an incomplete spinal injury, qualified for Team USA at the 2026 Paralympics. She talks about her rapid rise from novice to Paralympian, her five qualified alpine events, balancing risk and training, the tight adaptive‑ski community, and challenges of custom gear and classification.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
From No Racing Background To Paralympic Qualifier
- Anna moved from never being a ski racer before her injury to qualifying through encouragement from racing friends and a small competitive pool in adaptive skiing.
- Friends saw potential against a limited field of female adaptive athletes, prompting her to try racing.
Using Training Days To Decide On Downhill
- Anna is undecided about competing in downhill because it's the fastest, riskiest event and she has no downhill experience.
- She plans to use organized downhill training days in Italy to decide whether to race it.
Conservative Prep To Avoid Last Minute Injuries
- Anna balances risk awareness with competitive preparation, noting athletes have been conservative in Sun Valley to avoid last-minute injuries.
- She emphasized staying sharp while minimizing risky behaviors before the biggest competition of her life.