A dream come true: Local skier competes in Paralympic World Cup

PALMER — Grace Miller grew up in the mountains. She never thought her love of skiing would take her to an international competition, but she did just that.

The outstanding Palmer student-athlete competed with Team USA at the Paralympic World Cup in Canada in early December in cross-country skiing, and said it was a dream come true.

Miller was born in Guangzhou, China, and adopted by her mother Kym at age 3. Grace was born without her left forearm, but never let it hold her back.

“I’ve been on skis basically ever since I can remember,” said Grace Miller.

Kym was a park ranger in Hatcher Pass for nine years, which helped lead to Grace’s development. At an early age she was skiing, hiking, and riding around in her mother’s park truck.

Kym left the park service to become a nurse, but that did not stop Grace. She skied with a team in Eagle River in middle school and joined the Palmer High Ski team in high school.

Grace did not ski her junior year, as she wanted to make sure she put her academic career first. Grace is one semester away from graduating from the Alaska Middle College. She plans to attend school in Alaska and continue her skiing career while studying biology. Once she graduates college, she says she does not know whether she will pursue medical school or a career as a skier.

Grace was recruited for the paralympics earlier this year and began training on roller skis for six months. She missed her first high school meet to compete internationally.

Grace competed in a 7.5-kilometer skate race and a sprint classic race. Grace said based on a calculation the officials do to determine what percentage of a skier can be used toward their time, she got a 9 percent handicap.

Grace returned to the Palmer High Ski team this year, in addition to working a job and taking college courses, she does not let her lack of a left forearm keep her from doing anything.

“I just want to train really hard and see how much faster I can get. I’m really focused on improving my physical fitness and my technique so I can come back and do better,” said Grace.

Grace was amazed to see Paralympic athletes from all over the world and how they were able to compete. She has found camaraderie in training with her teammates.

“Kids on the ski team usually have similar interests so it’s really easy to make friends. It’s really nice to have someone to train with or go mess around on skis, it’s really fun,” said Grace.

Grace posted a time of 17 minutes, 2 seconds in her skate race, and 8:15 in her classic race in Canmore, Alberta. Grace said she looks up to Alaskan skiers like Kikkan Randall, and hopes to one day stand atop a podium.

Grace lauded the help of her Palmer High coach Mikey Evans.

“He’s kind of laid back so you know if he compliments you you’re really doing something right,” said Grace.

While Grace loves skiing, she hates running.

“The same amount of physical energy it takes to run gets you so much father on skis,” said Grace.

While her education is her first priority, Grace hopes to go far on a pair of skis.

Tim Rockey is a freelance writer for the Frontiersman. Contact him at timothy.rockey@gmail.com.