Carter competing in 2nd Paralympics
Topton native sets his sights on a medal in Alpine Skiing
He’s getting a third opportunity to compete on an international stage ... a second time as an Olympian.
And Tyler Carter is shooting to put on an even better show this time.
Carter is a member of the United States team participating in the Paralympic Winter Games in PyeongChang 2018 this month. The Topton native and 2012 Brandywine Heights graduate will be competing in the Grand Slalom and Slalom alpine skiing events during the Games’ March 9-18 run at the same site where the 2018 Winter Olympics were recently held.
“It’s a huge honor to represent Team USA a second time,” Carter, who was also a Team USA member for the 2014 Paralympics, said. “It’s cool being picked a second time.”
Carter’s proficiency in skiing has developed despite having a birth defect that forced the amputation of part of his right leg
“It’s a huge honor to represent Team USA a second time. I hope to medal and make the podium. I’ve improved since the Sochi Olympics. I want to make strong runs, and represent the U.S. well.” – Topton native and Brandywine Heights grad Tyler Carter on the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.
when he was just one year old. He was born with fibular hemimelia, a congenital condition that left him without a fibula bone in his right leg. The leg was amputated below the knee.
He previously participated in the 2014 Winter Olympics staged in Sochi, Russia, placing 27th out of 49 competitors in the giant slalom. Suffice it to say, he is looking for a more productive performance this time.
“Obviously, I hope to medal and make the podium,” Tyler said. “I’ve improved since the Sochi Olympics. I want to make strong runs, and represent the U.S. well.”
His affinity for the sport developed from participation at the Camelback Adaptive Ski Camp at Camelback Mountain in the Poconos. He now serves as a coach at the camp, returning to the area from his home in Winter Park, Colo. to serve as a coach.
Indications are this year’s U.S. team ranks high on the international scene. It has four returning Paralympic medalists: Two-time Paralympic medalist Stephanie Jallen (Harding, Pa.) a two-time medalist, and Laurie Stephens (Wendham, Mass.). Both earned double bronze at the 2014 Games.
Danelle Umstead (Park City, Utah), a three-time medalist, added a bronze of her own with guide and husband Rob Umstead (Park City, Utah). On the men’s side, Mark Bathum (Seattle, Wash.) captured two silver medals to bring his Paralympic total to three with guide Cade Yamamoto (Quincy, Wash.). The U.S. left Sochi with 10 medals and will aim to build off that performance in PyeongChang.
“After four years of preparation, our team is ready to prove themselves at the pinnacle of Paralympic competition: the Paralympic Winter Games,” Kevin Jardine, director of U.S. Paralympics Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding, said in a statement. “We have a great balance of veterans who know what it takes to succeed at the highest level as well as younger talent who are eager to make a name for themselves. I feel confident that our team will rise to the occasion and look forward to seeing which athletes have breakout performances for Team USA.”
“We’re definitely one of the top teams,” Carter added. “We have top skiers across the board ... a strong team, one of the strongest in recent history.”
Because he doesn’t get the opportunity to run the trails on which he’ll be competing, Carter used television coverage of the Olympics’ skiing events to scout out some idea of how the trails look.
“Most times, we don’t get the opportunity to run on the hill until we race there,” he said. “We run trails in practice to figure out the best approach.
“Watching all ski races, being able to see the trail, seeing the Olympians is a huge advantage. It helps, if you don’t get to ski on the trail.”
Carter also has experience in the World Championships. He competed at that level in 2015, finishing 14th in the slalom and 24th in the giant slalom.
“Every race is an opportunity to get points,”he said, noting the emphasis is on scoring the lowest number possible. “The average in giant slalom is 80 to 83, in the slalom 115.”
Carter ranks among the Top Five in the US, and was one of five skiers picked for the team. Of the three categories of skiing — visual, standing, sitting — he considers standing to be his strongest style.
He also compared the two alpine skiing events, noting the approaches to the gates on the course is a difference.
“The slalom is vastly different,” Carter said. “In the slalom, you have to knock all gates down. In the giant slalom, sometimes you brush the gates.”
While the skis, poles and boots he uses are all generic, the ski prothesis Carter uses is more customized to him. He noted the foot piece has to be angled and adjusted to the right positioning.
“I’ve had it since October,” he said. “It took a long time to get it dialed in. It’s pretty close to perfect now.”
The Paralympics’ opening ceremonies were staged Friday. The slalom will be Wednesday, March 14, followed by the giant slalom Saturday, March 17, the day before the closing ceremonies.
During his stay in Korea, Carter hopes to do some “touristy” things ... but not before completing his medal quest.
“I’m going for job, and until the job is over,” he said. “A couple days at the end, I hope to do some sightseeing.”
Once the Paralympics are over, Carter will be heading to Monmouth, Calif. for the March 20 Nationals.