Blind veteran skis and target shoots with assist from technology

Blind veteran skis and target shoots with assist from technology
Tri Valley Central
By KELSEY FOWLER Summit (Colo.) Daily News
December 15, 2013

FRISCO, Colo. (AP) — Ever since he was young, Steve Baskis wanted to serve in the military like his father and grandfather before him. But just eight months into his Army deployment in Iraq, in May 2008, Baskis lost his vision entirely during a military operation.

Losing his sight didn’t mean Baskis lost his spirit. Baskis recently spent time at the Frisco Nordic Center, training with the hope of someday making the U.S. Paralympic biathlon ski team.

Biathlon combines cross-country skiing and shooting. Missing a target means skiing a penalty loop, increasing the race time.

“My ultimate goal is to make the team at some point,” Baskis said. “I’m still learning quite a bit how to ski.”

A blind biathlete such as Baskis has a special laser rifle system that uses sound to guide him toward the center of the target.
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