Gabriel Gorce facts for kids
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Gabriel Juan Gorce Yepes |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Born | 2 August 1990 (age 35) Madrid, Spain |
| Residence | Escadarcs, La Cerdanya, Catalonia, Spain |
| Sport | |
| Country |  Spain |
| Sport | Para-alpine skiing |
| Event(s) | Downhill Slalom Giant slalom Super combined Super G |
| Coached by | Sylvana Mestre, Jordi Carbonell |
Gabriel Juan Gorce Yepes (born August 2, 1990) is a talented Spanish para-alpine skier. He was born in Madrid and has a visual impairment, which means he competes in a special category for athletes with limited vision.
In para-alpine skiing, visually impaired skiers race down the mountain with a guide skier who communicates with them. Gabriel has worked with several skilled guides, including Aleix Suñé, Félix Aznar, and Arnau Ferrer. Together, they have competed in some of the biggest events in the world, such as the Winter Paralympics and the World Championships.
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Personal Life
Gabriel Gorce was born with a visual impairment. He lives in a town called Escadarcs in the La Cerdanya region of Catalonia, Spain. He is a skilled athlete who has been recognized for his achievements in sports.
Skiing Career
Gabriel is classified as a B2 skier, which is a category for athletes who have some vision but not enough to ski safely on their own at high speeds. This is why he skis with a guide who stays just ahead of him, giving him directions through a headset.
Working with Guide Skiers
A guide skier is a crucial partner for a visually impaired athlete. Over his career, Gabriel has teamed up with different guides:
- Aitor Martínez was his guide for the 2007/2008 season.
- Félix Aznar guided him during the 2009/2010 season and at the 2010 Winter Paralympics.
- Arnau Ferrer became his guide in 2012 and skied with him in many important races.
Major Competitions
Gabriel has been a top competitor on the international circuit for many years. He has raced in the European Cup, the IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup, and several World Championships.
At the 2009 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships, he and his guide finished fifth in the Super Combined event. This was his first time competing at a World Championship. Two years later, at the 2011 World Championships in Sestriere, Italy, he placed eighth in the Super G event.
Paralympic Games
One of the biggest goals for any athlete is to compete in the Paralympic Games. Gabriel has represented Spain at two Winter Paralympics.
Vancouver 2010
At just 19 years old, Gabriel was the youngest member of the Spanish team at the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver. The Spanish Paralympic Committee saw his potential and believed he would be a star for years to come. He competed with his guide, Félix Aznar. Although he faced challenges, like being disqualified in one race for missing a gate, the experience was very important for his career.
Sochi 2014
Gabriel's hard work paid off at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games. He had an amazing performance and won a bronze medal in the men's Super Combined event for visually impaired athletes. This was a huge achievement and a proud moment for him and his country.
See also
In Spanish: Gabriel Gorce para niños
