former Miss Waco competes in Para Snowboard Planet Championships in Spain

WACO, Texas (KWTX) – Former Miss Waco, Jamie Blanek, 33, who lost her leg two years ago immediately after getting hit by a vehicle when stopping to render air to two young girls in an accident, has accomplished an nearly unheard-of feat by qualifying and participating in the Para Snowboard Planet Championships in Spain in her initially year competing.

She’s at the moment ranked 7th in the planet.

“I just go complete force with every thing I want to do,” Blanek mentioned. “I’m determined to attain my ambitions.”

Jamie underwent her newest surgery 4 months ago but has by no means let her accident hold her back.

Jamie Blanek(Courtesy Photographs)

She spent the final 3 weeks competing in Europe, initially in Italy at the Europa Cup, and then Spain at the Planet Championship.

It is about far more than a medal to Jamie as there is at the moment no snowboarding occasion in the Paralympics for athletes like her who are the most severely disabled in the reduce limb category.

Competing at this higher of a level is a massive step toward producing that occur.

Jamie initially competed in San Pellegrino, Italy in the Europa Cup in two events of boardercross, a form of snowboarding competitors exactly where competitors race side-by-side on a specially made course and banked slalom, a snowboard race held on a curvy course with tight banked turns. She placed 2nd in each events.

Jamie Blanek(Courtesy Photo)

Jamie and other competitors worldwide with comparable disabilities earned the likelihood to go to Spain and train, but with no guarantees to really compete.

“We had been getting observed throughout all our education. We had been getting watched so they could see, ‘okay, is this athlete secure? Are they capable of carrying out these courses?’ Then we had to be voted on and authorized, and then wild carded in. So, it wasn’t even assured we’d get to compete just by going to Spain, even so, we necessary the numbers.”

Jamie ended up putting 7th in each events at the Planet Championships.

“I have been education seriously really hard, so to be ranked 7th in the planet, is amazing,” she mentioned.

Jamie Blanek(Courtesy Photographs)

Jamie is returning Friday to the United States exactly where she’s been education at the National Capability Center is Park City, Utah due to the fact December 2021.

Her subsequent competitors is the national championships in Colorado in April.

Jamie is element of the Improvement Group with Group USA, and has her eyes set on her subsequent large aim, competing at the Winter Paralympics in 2026.

“To be exactly where I’m at with my sport, and my life in basic, only two years immediately after this nearly fatal accident, is really outstanding,” Blanek mentioned, “I’m so grateful to not only be alive but to be living a life of goal, and I get to do what I adore each day.”

“That’s point I can supply to the planet is to show them via my actions something is doable.”

Jamie Blanek(Courtesy Photographs)

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