Lee-Gartner, Kerrin (1966—)

views updated

Lee-Gartner, Kerrin (1966—)

Canadian skier. Born on September 21, 1966, in Trail, British Columbia, Canada; grew up in Rossland, British Columbia.

Kerrin Lee-Gartner grew up in Rossland, British Columbia, five houses down from the parents of Nancy Greene , the popular 1969 giant slalom gold medalist. But after ten years on the world-cup circuit, Lee-Gartner had managed only one third-place finish. Then on February 15, 1992, in Albertville, on what was considered the steepest, most difficult, and longest course ever designed for the downhill, Kerrin Lee-Gartner had the race of her life. With a time of 1:52.61, she brought home the first Olympic gold medal for a Canadian skier, male or female, in the downhill. Hilary Lindh of the United States won the silver with 1:52.61 while Veronika Wallinger of Austria won the bronze with 1:52.64. Before her win, Lee-Gartner had endured several injuries. She had been chosen for the Canadian Women's Ski Team at age 16, but her hopes for a successful World Cup tour in 1985 had been dashed when she had a serious accident and underwent reconstructive knee surgery. In February 1989, she had been off her skis for six months following another accident.