Facing a challenging course that favoured Russian strength and agility, Canmore’s Chris Klebl pulled out a shocking victory in the 10-kilometre sit-ski race at the 2014 Sochi Paralympics, propelling Canada into third place in the medal count.
The 42-year-old mopped up the competition on a sloppy ski track, finishing the race in 30:52, 14 seconds ahead of Ukraine’s Maksym Yarovyi and 26 second ahead of the heavily favoured Grigory Murygin of Russia.
“It feels pretty good for sure,” said Klebl. “I have exceptional skis for wet, sloppy conditions and today we got exactly those conditions. It just feels good. We prepare for this over and over and over again to try and get things to line up, and today it did.”
Klebl is a three-time Paralympian, but this is his first Games competing for Canada. Born in Germany, Klebl grew up in Austria and was paralyzed from the waist down following a snowboarding accident in 1995 in Colorado. He eventually took up hand-cycling before switching to sit skis, where he had several successful seasons with the U.S. Paralympic team. He moved to Canmore after the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and has competed for Canada ever since.
“It means a ton to me to contribute to Canada’s medal count,” said Klebl. “Four years ago I made a major decision to move to Canada, and Cross Country Canada and the Own the Podium program have backed me since. I just wanted to pay them back.”
Early in the Games, Klebl was slowed by illness and was disappointed with his sixth-place finish in the men’s 15 km sit ski race. He had a promising result when he teamed up with Brian McKeever to finish fourth in the men’s relay, but his full potential shone through in the 10 km race.
“Chris winning that gold was my favourite moment,” said McKeever. “I know that course didn’t suit him all that well. It was better suited for double amputees, and the Russians did a good job of making courses to fit their best guys … It’s more fun when the win is not expected.”
