NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
Upon his arrival in Italy, Paralympic ski racer Patrick Halgren plastered a blue-and-yellow sticker in the bathroom of a popular restaurant.
The first of many stickers to be stuck somewhere.
By the time the Milan Cortina Paralympics are over, those decals that read “ SvendIt ” will be spotted on chairlifts, water bottles and buildings all around Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The phrase, a play on “send-it,” is Halgren’s mantra on life.
Advertisement
Even more, it’s a way to honor his late twin brother, Lucas Sven Halgren, who went by Sven. He’s the one who encouraged Halgren to take up the sport after Halgren lost his left leg above the knee in a motorcycle crash in 2013. He’s the reason why Halgren’s at his second Paralympics and about to compete in five different events over a busy week. Three years after Halgren’s motorcycle crash, Sven, an avid skier who chased adventure all over the world, died in a motorcycle crash in New Zealand.
Halgren lives life to the fullest for his twin. Halgren, who lives part of the year out of his van, isn’t afraid to take chances, especially on the hill. Because the “SvendIt” attitude comes from the heart — and the belly, where he has the word tattooed.
“I’ve got a lot of really good friends messaging me and saying, ‘He’d be so proud of you,’” said Halgren, who was 20 minutes older than Sven. “When there’s a ray of sunshine (on the mountain), I’ve got to believe that it’s him up there … showing me the way.”
Red, blonde and blue
To be here, in Cortina, was a victory in itself. Halgren has been banged up all season from one crash after another. He’s qualified in the standing division of the downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom and Alpine combined. His mom, Kathy, and dad, Peter, flew in from Connecticut to watch.
Advertisement
To prepare, he’s changing up his look. He’ll keep his braids for Saturday’s downhill race before dyeing his hair red and blue to go with the blonde for the super-G.
“Because blondes have more fun,” he cracked.
It’s an adventure-filled existence for Halgren, who splits his time between living out of his Ford camper…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/memories-twin-inspire-paralympian-patrick-181749057.html
Author : PAT GRAHAM
Publish date : 2026-03-06 18:17:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
