Larisa Yurkiw
She fought her way back from a devastating knee injury to become Canada's lone World Cup downhill skier, funding her own Olympic dream through sheer will.
Born 1988 (age 38)·Canadian alpine skier·Birthday: March 30·Millennials
Biography
Larisa Yurkiw's career is a story of defiant independence. A promising downhiller from Owen Sound, Ontario, her path was nearly ended by a horrific knee injury in 2009 that tore every major ligament. Dropped from the national team during her recovery, Yurkiw refused to quit. She embarked on a remarkable solo campaign, creating 'Team Larisa' and securing her own sponsors to fund a return to the World Cup circuit. Against all odds, she not only returned but excelled, earning a spot at the 2014 Sochi Olympics as Canada's sole female downhill representative. Her ninth-place finish there was a triumph of personal grit. Yurkiw's journey challenged the traditional sports system and proved what an athlete with unwavering determination could achieve on her own terms.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Larisa was born in 1988, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Larisa Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Larisa's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Finished 9th in the downhill at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi as an independent athlete.
- Achieved a World Cup podium finish, taking 3rd place in a downhill at Lake Louise in 2015.
- Secured five top-10 finishes in World Cup downhill events during the 2014-15 season.
- Successfully self-funded and managed her own World Cup program ('Team Larisa') for two seasons.
Did You Know?
She wrote a blog called 'The Long Way to Sochi' detailing her independent journey to the Olympics.
Yurkiw's knee injury in 2009 was so severe it was described as a 'triple tear' of the ACL, MCL, and PCL.
She was named Alpine Canada's Female Athlete of the Year in 2015.
After retiring, she became a certified professional coach and motivational speaker.
“I funded my own comeback because I wasn't finished with the sport.”
