USA Paralympic Nordic Ski Team
"Composite Builders has designed and built highly innovative carbon fiber sit skis for the U.S. Paralympics Nordic Skiing Team. The team at Composite Builders has worked directly with our athletes to create a new design which we expect will help us win medals in international competition including the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games. Our disabled and Veteran athletes are benefitting directly from the custom designs that are lighter and stronger than anything they have used in the past. The sleek and aerodynamic shape have built confidence for all our athletes.”​
John Farra, Director, High Performance Paralympic Nordic Skiing
High-Performance Paralympic Nordic Skiing
The U.S. Paralympic Nordic Skiing team has been a dominant force in the Winter Paralympic Games, with athletes competing in both cross-country skiing and biathlon events. Despite physical disabilities, these athletes demonstrate extraordinary resilience and skill, earning numerous medals and consistently pushing the limits of adaptive sports. Central to the team’s success is the use of specialized adaptive equipment, such as lightweight skis and sit-skis made from composite materials like carbon fiber. These materials provide the necessary strength, flexibility, and durability needed to navigate the challenging snow and ice, allowing athletes to optimize their performance while overcoming physical barriers.
Success for Team USA
Since 2014, Team USA has seen tremendous success in Paralympic Nordic skiing, earning a significant number of medals and solidifying its position as a global powerhouse. At the 2014 Sochi Paralympic Games, the U.S. team brought home 11 medals, showcasing their competitive spirit. The 2018 PyeongChang Games saw even greater achievements, with the team earning 13 medals. Notable athletes like Oksana Masters, who won multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals, have played a pivotal role in this success. Other key figures, including Daniel Cnossen, who excelled in both cross-country skiing and biathlon, have also been integral to the team’s impressive medal count. With continued dedication, Team USA remains a leading force in the world of Paralympic Nordic skiing.
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Equipment Production
Team USA’s success in recent years has been significantly influenced by cutting-edge equipment design, driven by the collaboration between athletes, team leadership, and engineers at Composite Builders. The development of advanced sit-skis and Nordic skis, crafted from durable, lightweight composite materials like carbon fiber, has enabled athletes to perform at their peak while tackling the harsh elements of extreme cold, icy surfaces, and variable snow conditions. These innovations ensure the perfect balance of strength, flexibility, and speed, allowing athletes to excel in challenging conditions. Feedback from athletes like Oksana Masters and Daniel Cnossen, and Composite Builders' on-site performance analyses, have been instrumental in refining the equipment, helping to maintain Team USA’s dominant position in Paralympic Nordic skiing.