Career Highlights

 

Para athlete of the Year 2019
Halberg Awards;

Gold medal in Slalom
and Bronze medal in
Super Combined at the
2018 Paralympic Winter Games; 
Gold medal in Slalom at the
2010 Paralympic Winter Games;
Member of the New Zealand Order
of Merit (MNZOM) in the
Queen's Birthday Honours,
for services to sport;
2014 World Cup  
Slalom Crystal Globe;
Multiple World Cup medals;
Recipient of the Whang Yuon Dai Achievement Award.

Adam’s Story

 

Diagnosed at birth with spina bifida – a disability that typically leaves people in a wheelchair – Adam says he’s "lucky" because he is mobile and able to walk. 

Adam began skiing at age six and switched to snowboarding at age nine. He admits to being a snowboarder at heart, but switched back to skiing in order to compete in the Paralympics in 2006.  

Adam has continued to perform at the top of his game. His work ethic is second to none and his positive attitude, even in the face of adversity, is inspiring.

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Adam won gold in the men’s standing Slalom at the Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver in 2010 and since then his career has continued to go from strength to strength.

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Adam  has long been recognised as a specialist in the technical disciplines but in recent years has also achieved top results in the speed disciplines. In 2016 Adam won gold medals in Downhill as well as the Slalom at the World Cup finals in Aspen and finished the season ranked third overall in the world for men’s standing Super-G and Downhill. At the 2018 PyeongChang Paralympic Winter Games he earned bronze in the Super Combined, a discipline which incorporates speed as well as technical skiing. He went on to win his second Paralympic gold medal in Slalom and was bestowed with an incredible honour when he was announced as winner of the Whang Yuon Dai Achievement Award. This is presented to only one male and one female Paralympian at each Paralympic Games who best exemplify the spirit of the Paralympic Games and the Paralympic values.

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Adam has twice been named Snow Sports NZ Adaptive Skier of the Year, and received the ultimate accolade of  Snow Sports NZ Athlete of the Year in 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2018. In 2011, he was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZOM) in the Queen's Birthday Honours, for services to sport. In 2013 Adam was named Senior Sportsman of the Year at the Central Otago Sports Awards.

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When he's not on snow Adam also enjoys biking, kayaking, golf and anything outdoors. Although as soon as the temperatures get above zero he starts to complain about it being too 'hot' and pining for winter!