Paralympic Appreciation Day April 12, 2007

Vail's Mayor, Rod Slifer and the Vail Town Council have declared April 12, 2007, Paralympic Appreciation Day which will recognize the accomplishments of local athletes who train and live in the Vail Valley. Vail has produced some of the most successful Paralympic skiers in history including Greg Mannino, Rik Heid, John Davis, Adrian Rivera, Kathy Gentile-Patty, Sarah Billmeier, Sarah Will, Sandy Dukat, Ralph Green and Chris Waddell. Many have gone on to successful careers in prosthetics, home contracting, public speaking, education, the medical profession and rocket science.

The Vail Community has been incredibly gracious to these local athletes and one house in Matterhorn, has housed racers since the early 80's.

Pictured above, two-time Paralympians Sandy Dukat, and Ralph Green, of the 2007 US Disabled Alpine Ski Team. Ralph and Sandy have been living and training in the Vail valley for the last three seasons and participated in the Salt Lake City and Torino Paralympic Games. Sandy earned bronze medals in the Super G during Salt Lake games, and in the Slalom, in Torino.