By Nick Butler

Tyler Walker was on strong form for the US following his crash during Sochi 2014 ©US ParalympicsUnited States Alpine skiing star Tyler Walker made a triumphant return to competition following his horrific crash during Sochi 2014, securing two race wins at both the NorAm Cup and an International Paralympic Committee (IPC) event in Aspen.


Walker ended up in hospital in March after losing control and suffering a heavy crash in the sitting downhill event in Sochi, meaning he was forced to miss the Winter Paralympic SuperG competition as well as the rest of the season.

But the 27-year-old was among the US stars on a strong season-opening showing at the NorAm Cup, where he won both the slalom and giant slalom events.

He then repeated the same double at the IPC fixture, where the US were utterly dominant on home slopes with a total of 34 medals. 

Tyler Walker being stretchered off following his horrific crash during Sochi 2014 ©Getty ImagesTyler Walker being stretchered off following his horrific crash during Sochi 2014
©Getty Images



Sochi 2014 Super G bronze medallist Laurie Stephens, a fellow sit skier and a training partner of Walker, was another leading performer at both events, winning the giant slalom and slalom at the NorAm Cup before taking a slalom silver in Aspen.

Other gold medal performances included Jamie Stanton, who won the men's standing slalom event at the Cup event, where skiers from Canada and Japan also participated, and Thomas Walsh, who won the giant slalom at the IPC fixture.

Kevin Burton, Brian Follett, Stephanie Jallen and Danelle Umstead were other US winners across the two competitions.

The international season will begin in earnest next month with another IPC fixture, from January 4 to 6 at Winter Park, Colorado, before a World Cup season opener in La Molina, Spain, from January 8.

Following further World Cup fixtures in Tignes and St. Moritz, the World Championships are set for February 28 until March 10 in the resort of Panorama in British Columbia, Canada.