Patrick Halgren’s Journey
Paralympic ski racer Patrick Halgren has embarked on a journey in Italy that intertwines his passion for skiing and a heartfelt tribute to his late twin brother, Lucas Sven Halgren. Upon arriving in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Halgren started a campaign by placing a blue-and-yellow sticker in a well-frequented restaurant’s restroom. The sticker bears the phrase “SvendIt,” a creative twist on the phrase “send-it,” which holds deep personal meaning for Halgren, serving as a reminder of his brother who spurred him to embrace a life of adventure following his own tragedy.
Resilience and Honor
Halgren’s journey to the Milan Cortina Paralympics is not just an athletic endeavor; it is a narrative of resilience and honor. He lost his left leg in a severe motorcycle accident in 2013, an event that transformed his life. His brother, Sven, an avid skier who died in a separate motorcycle accident in New Zealand three years later, had been a significant source of encouragement for Halgren, especially in his quest to pursue skiing.
As the upcoming Paralympics approach, Halgren has committed to competing in five diverse events—downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, and Alpine combined—while also taking time to honor his brother’s adventurous spirit. His parents, Kathy and Peter, have traveled from Connecticut to support him amid a season fraught with injuries.
“Being here in Cortina is already a win for me,”
Halgren remarked, recalling the challenges he faced leading up to this moment.
Adventurous Spirit
In a playful twist, Halgren has decided to change his hairstyle for each event, starting off with his braids for the downhill competition, and later transitioning to a red and blue look, proclaiming humorously that
“blondes have more fun”
as he prepares for the super-G race.
Halgren’s lifestyle is as adventurous as it is unconventional; he splits his time between a camper van and his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he embraces the outdoor lifestyle, often training and mentoring young skiers. He even jokingly refers to himself as the “sheriff of the mountain,” an amusing nod to his community involvement. Beyond skiing, Halgren is also entering the filmmaking realm with a project titled “Us and Them,” which showcases the world of adaptive skiing through the eyes of athletes like himself.
Reflections on the Past
Reflecting on his past, Halgren described the harrowing motorcycle crash that changed his life. Racing against time to reach work, he lost control of his bike and crashed into a telephone pole at high speed. Although he survived the tragic accident, the extensive injuries led to the amputation of his left leg, a loss that changed his life forever. His brother, who volunteered at an adaptive sports program, played an essential role in encouraging Halgren to pursue sports as a means of healing.
As he prepares to compete again in the Paralympics, thoughts of Sven continue to motivate Halgren.
“He wouldn’t be surprised,”
Halgren stated, reflecting on his brother’s unwavering enthusiasm.
Embracing Life Fully
Through the ever-expanding placement of the “SvendIt” stickers, now seen in locations ranging from Norway to various landmarks in Colorado, Halgren finds an avenue to remember his brother, encouraging others to embrace life fully.
“If you’re going to do something, you’ve just got to go for it. Go have some fun and live your life,”
he insisted, embodying the adventurous spirit that both he and his brother cherished.
