 |
Steve McKinney | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1953 |
| Died | November 10, 1990 |
| Occupation(s) | Speed skier, mountaineer |
| Known for | First person to break 200 km/h on skis; first person to fly a hang-glider off Mount Everest |
Steve McKinney (1953 – November 10, 1990) was an American Alpine skier and mountaineer who is acknowledged as an early pioneer in the sport of extreme skiing.[1] A gifted all-around athlete, McKinney is best remembered as a world-class speed skier. In 1978 at Portillo, Chile, McKinney's record-breaking run of 200.222 km/h (124.137 mph)[2] made him the first speed skier to break the 200 km/h barrier.[3] Between 1974 and 1987, McKinney set seven world speed skiing records[4] in competitions around the world.
In the 1980s, McKinney became an accomplished mountain climber. In 1986 he led an expedition to Mount Everest,[5] during which he became the first person to fly a hang-glider off the mountain.[6]
Steve was one of eight McKinney children. His half-sister, Tamara McKinney, became a world champion World Cup skier.
- ^ "History | Squaw Media Center". squawmedia.squaw.com. Archived from the original on 2010-02-16.
- ^ "Speed Champion Steve Mc Kinney's 120-Mph Runs Make Downhill Racers Seem Snowbound : People.com". Archived from the original on 2009-09-24.
- ^ "Video". CNN. February 7, 1983. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012.
- ^ "Speed Skiing History and Records". www.usaspeedskiers.com. Archived from the original on 2009-04-18.
- ^ Unsworth, Walt, Everest: The Mountaineering History, [London, UK: The Mountaineers, 2000], p.626
- ^ "Over Everest; docs%2FHistory%2FHang gliders and Paragliders".