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Kelly Underkofler

Sport: Nordic Skiing, Biathlon
Residence: St. Paul, Minnesota

Kelly Underkofler was born without the lower part of her left arm, but determination earned her a Nordic World Cup finish in her first racing trip to Europe, earning her a place on the 2002 Paralympic Team.

Kelly played soccer and ran track in high school but it was not until she met the head coach for the U.S. Disabled Nordic Team that she focused on cross country skiing. Kelly has cross country skied since age four and raced in high school before joining the U.S. Paralympic Team in 2001.

After graduating from St. Olaf College in 2005, Underkofler began training full-time after spending six years balancing academics and the U.S. team during high school and college. A member of the 2006 Nordic Paralympic Ski Team, Kelly competed in six different Nordic events, including biathlon, at the Paralympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. In Torino, Underkofler placed 4th in the long distance biathlon, 7th in short distance biathlon, 7th in Nordic team relay, 8th in the 5K freestyle, 9th in the 10K classic and 10th in the 15K freestyle.

Career Achievements

  • 2010: Eighth Place, 15k Free; Tenth Place, 5k Classic – Paralympic Games, Vancouver, Canada
  • 2008: Fifth Place, 7.5K, Mt. Washington, BC Canada
  • 2008: Third Place, 12.5K, Mt. Washington, BC Canada
  • 2007: Fourth Place, 12.5K, Vuokatti, Finland
  • 2007: Fifth Place, 7.5K, Vuokatti, Finland
  • 2007: Eighth Place, 12.5K, Sollefteå, Sweden
  • 2007: Seventh Place, 7.5K, Sollefteå, Sweden
  • 2007: Third Place, sprint, Mt. Washington, BC Canada
  • 2007: Second place, 12.5K, Mt. Washington, BC Canada
  • 2007: Third Place Overall World Cup
  • 2007: Second Place, 12.5K, Mt. Washington, BC Canada
  • 2007: Third Place Overall World Cup
  • 2003-2007: US Cross Country Nationals-Standing Women’s Champion

Underkofler works closely with The Hartford, Founding Partner of U.S. Paralympics®, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, helping to positively change public attitudes and perceptions about disability.