Paralympics Start Today In Cable

Some of the world’s top cross-country skiers with physical disabilities will be will be skiing for medals and ice fishing for bragging rights during the 2012 International Paralympic Committee Nordic Skiing World Cup Series being held in Cable today through Jan. 30.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp will attend opening day events on Thursday at Telemark Lodge in Cable – home of the famed American Birkebeiner ski race.

Cable is the second of three cup series stops this winter and is being held in the U.S. for the first time in seven years. After Cable, the series moves to Minneapolis for the third and final round.

After competing in a biathlon or cross-country race, competitors from at least 15 countries can wet a line in Lake Namekagon thanks to a DNR fish license waiver allowing the event's participants to ice fish for an afternoon.

“We are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to these inspiring people,” Stepp said. “In a matter of a few hours they will be able to participate in two of Wisconsin’s best and most popular winter time activities. I’m looking forward to the competition and to the fishing.”

“In addition to the competition, the U.S. Olympic Committee really wants us to provide cultural opportunities in the regions where the athletes are participating. We wanted to give them a winter time experience, and one that is enjoyed by many in the north,” said Cable Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director James Bolen. “Thanks to the DNR, which has been an excellent partner, we were able to do so."

Top athletes expected include world champion Katarzyna Rogowiec of Poland, who lost both forearms in a childhood farming accident. She claimed victories in the sprint, 5K and 15K at last month’s World Cup stop in Sjusjoen, Norway.

U.S. national team members include:

• Dan Cnossen, Jamestown, Mich. Recent double-leg amputee Navy SEAL who competes in the sit-ski division.
• Sean Halsted, Ephrata, Wash. Sit-skier who became paralyzed in 1998 after surviving a 40-foot fall from a helicopter during a rescue exercise with the Air Force.
• Andy Soule, Pearland, Texas. Sit-skier who lost both legs while serving in Afghanistan in 2002.
• Kelly Underkofler, St. Paul, Minn. Born without one of her forearms, Underkofler began cross country skiing at age 3 and later competed for St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn.