US Paralympics promote winning PyeongChang 2018 coach

US Paralympics’ great Nordic skiing performance at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games has seen head coach Eileen Carey promoted to director of US Paralympics Nordic Skiing.

Carey has spent the past four years coaching for US Paralympics Nordic Skiing. The Nordic skiing team took an unprecedented 16 medals home from PyeongChang, including six gold, seven silver and three bronze medals, a huge improvement on the three medals won at Sochi 2014.

Of the 16 medals, nine were secured in cross-country races and seven in biathlon events. Under Eileen’s direction, Dan Cnossen and Kendall Gretsch made history in the biathlon sprint by becoming the first Americans to win biathlon gold in Paralympic or Olympic Winter Games history.

Carey is replacing John Farra, who served as director of US Paralympics Nordic Skiing for seven years before recently accepting a position at USA Triathlon.

“I’m thrilled to be taking on this new level of responsibility to help further develop and strengthen the US Paralympics Nordic Skiing program,” said Carey. “I’m grateful to have worked with John Farra over the past four years to bring the program to the level it is at today, and I look forward to continuing to strengthen the program as we begin preparing for the upcoming season and Beijing 2022.”

As director, Carey will develop and implement high performance plans for US Paralympics Nordic skiing, supervise coaches and national team staff, advance the US Paralympics athlete identification and development strategy, and identify and oversee operations for national and international Nordic skiing events held in the United States.

“Following the standout performance for the Nordic skiing team in PyeongChang, Eileen has proven her ability to coach, lead and direct this program,” said Julie Dussliere, vice-president of U.S. Paralympics. “With a combined background competing and coaching, we’re ecstatic to have Eileen take on this new role as director to help the U.S. Paralympics Nordic Skiing program continue to grow and win medals.”

The next challenge for the USA team will be the 2019 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships in Prince George, Canada, from 15-24 February.