Andre Barbieri

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Flag bearing at Beijing Paralympics: life’s top honor

Hello everyone, I’m here to share this experience that is up there as one of the highlights of my life.  First, before the races started, we learned we wouldn’t be attending the Opening Ceremony (besides 4 people from our Federation) because of Covid concerns. We were all shattered, as we felt like that was one of our rights as athletes. But we moved on.  Then we all raced, had an immense amount of fun, adrenalin, nerves, anxiety, all that comes with competing...

April 15, 2022Read more...

Dispatch from Canada

Hello everyone, I’m sharing news from the training camp in Big White Ski Resort, BC, Canada. It was a dreamy stay. Even though I know the snow quality here gets better than what it was, for me was beyond amazing. I have not stayed these many days in the snow since I lived in CO in 2004. And my riding showed -I was getting better every day, noticeably improving my technique, much thanks to my Portuguese coach, Mancha. Eat,...

February 28, 2022Read more...

2 races – 2 podiums!!

Greetings brothers & sisters! I surprised myself here in Big White Ski Resort, Canada. These were the last comps before the Paralympic Games, called Welcome to Paradise Para Snowboard World Cup. The plan was coming here for more racing experience & training. From my category I was least likely to podium, the other competitors were more seasoned & experienced. Still, in SBX (Snowboard Cross) anything can happen! I found myself in the finals heat; 2 guys got tangled on the...

February 19, 2022Read more...

New Boards Alert:

Dear readers, PossAbilities did it again! They got me two custom made boards for my upcoming Paralympic campaign:)) Some of you probably know that new board feeling, same as new bike for instance. New board new dreams! The difference is that these are race boards, specially designed for me, each one for the specific discipline of Boardercross (SBX) and Banked Slalom (BSL). They are stiffer than your regular snowboard. They have a longer sidecut radius, the nose and tail are more square...

February 3, 2022Read more...

Logistics of Paralympics

Hello everyone, It’s end of January here and I’m preparing for a long trip away from home, lots of logistics go into all of it… making sure the home front will be ok, the wife and kids. My mom will be here to help out for a couple weeks, bless her heart:) making sure all my boards are dialed in, all the snow equipment. Speaking of boards, I have 2 fresh ones that PossAbilities got me, that will be a...

January 29, 2022Read more...

QUALIFIED FOR WINTER PARALYMPICS!!!!!

Supporters of Team PossAbilities, it’s official: after my effort in Europe I am in the list for 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics! I’m beyond excited and this still feels surreal. After dreaming about it for about 10 years, it’s finally happening. PossAbilities is part of this dream also, they’ve been with me throughout all of this effort. They were the platform that allowed me to jump this far, so for all of you involved in some way, (you know who you...

January 7, 2022Read more...

Surreal Finland

Greetings from Santa Claus land! We’re within the arctic circle, far north  in an area called Lapland. It’s colder than cold here, we registered -28°F for a couple days; even colder than that up the mountain with the breeze. That got me a sore throat and cough that have been hanging out for many days:(  —I got tested and it’s not covid. The sun goes out around 10am and hangs out on the horizon line for about 3 hours,...

December 22, 2021Read more...

Europe Training Camps + Racing

Greetings from Landgraaf, in the Netherlands! -yes, I was just here for a training camp in September; and now we had 2 back to back Banked Slalom races, a World Cup! My goals were: not get disqualified (like I had in Dubai on my very 1st race with zero experience and the wrong prosthetic leg) and not get last place (so I would get points). Mission accomplished on both goals! Another Brazilian athlete & I were here with a great coach from...

November 30, 2021Read more...

Snowboarding Training Camp: Success!

Hello all, Two weeks back from the Netherlands and I’m still buzzing about it. I had such a good time and learned valuable lessons and tricks from my coach. Came back in top shape —wish there was a race right after! It was at times challenging, like I thought “why am I doin this? Do I even belong in this sport racing with those guys at that level?” But the more I train the more the confidence grew, and that’s exactly the...

October 9, 2021Read more...

Dispatch from the Netherlands

Hello folks, it’s been a lovely “season” here in Landgraaf, 2 weeks of fun and also hard work at this indoor snow dome.  I say fun because this place is beautiful, coaching has been superb, accommodations are great, the food is awesome and it’s always there ready for you. I don’t have to worry about anything besides working on my technique, fitness and getting enough rest.  But I’ll tell you, it’s not a vacation! (a lot of people wished me happy...

September 20, 2021Read more...