Background:
Growing up in an active family, Brian began skiing at the early age of three, and entered his first competitive race at age 12. What he enjoys most about skiing is the adrenaline rush he receives when racing or competing. His first big event was the 1997-98 Junior World Championships in Pontresina, Switzerland and one of his best results as an able-bodied athlete is fourth at the 2000 Senior National Championships, in Canmore, Alta. (15 km skate).
In 1998, Brian was diagnosed with Stargaards disease (macular degeneration or loss of central vision fine detail and colour). Kaspar Wirz introduced him to the blind skier category as he was new on the team at the time.
Last year, Brian made history becoming the first Canadian athlete with a disability to ski in an able-bodied race. He finished 24th at the World Championships. McKeevers goal is to become the first athlete with a disability to qualify to compete at both the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2010.
Notable Career Highlights:
- Races on the World Cup in both the able-bodied and para-nordic circuits
- Finished 21st in the 15km free event at the 2007 FIS World Ski Championships in Sapporo, Japan
- Four-time gold, silver and bronze medallist at Paralympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy.
- First overall in 2004, 2003 and 2002 Disabled World Cup rankings for cross-country skiing Mens Blind Category;
- Winner of seven gold medals on 2004 Disabled World Cup circuit;
- Second overall in 2003 Disabled World Cup Rankings for biathlon Mens Blind Category;
- Five-time gold medallist at 2003 Disabled World Championships;
- Two-time gold and silver medallist at Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City.
Paralympic Results:
2002 Paralympic Winter Games, Salt Lake City, USA: 1 (5 km Classic)
2002 Paralympic Winter Games, Salt Lake City, USA: 1 (10 km Freestyle)
2002 Paralympic Winter Games, Salt Lake City, USA: 2 (20 km Freestyle)
2002 Paralympic Winter Games, Salt Lake City, USA: 6 (Biathlon)
2006 Paralympic Games, Torino, Italy: 1 (5km free technique)
2006 Paralympic Games, Torino, Italy: 3 (7.5km biathlon)
2006 Paralympic Games, Torino, Italy: 1 (10km classic)
2006 Paralympic Games, Torino, Italy: 2 (20km classic)
2008-2009 Results:
2009 IPC World Cup, Whistler, BC: 1 (1.24km/Sprint)
2009 IPC World Cup, Whistler, BC: 1 (10km/Classic)
2007-08 Results:
2008 Marathon Cup, Rena-Lillehammer, NOR: 17 (marathon)
2008 FIS Race, Nes, NOR: 12 (sprint)
2008 IPC World Cup Finals, Nes, NOR: 1 (sprint)
2008 IPC World Cup Finals, Nes, NOR: 1 (7.5km biathlon)
2008 IPC World Cup Finals, Nes, NOR: 1 (pursuit)
2008 IPC World Cup, Vuokatti, FIN: 1 (20km)
2008 IPC World Cup, Vuokatti, FIN: 1 (10km)
2008 World Cup, Canmore, AB: 42 (15km)
2008 World Cup, Canmore, AB: 41 (pursuit)
2007 Haywood Nor-Am, Val Cartier, QC: 5 (10km)
2007 Haywood Nor-Am, Val Cartier, QC: 8 (pursuit)
2007 Haywood Nor-Am, Val Cartier, QC: 7 (sprint)
2007 Haywood Nor-Am, Canmore, AB: 5 (10km)
2007 Haywood Nor-Am, Canmore, AB: 9 (pursuit)
2007 Haywood Nor-Am, Vernon, BC: 19 (sprint)
2007 Haywood Nor-Am, Vernon, BC: 7 (15km)
2006-07 Results:
2007 FIS World Cup, Falun, SWE: 56 (Pursuit)
2007 FIS World Cup, Oslo, Norway: 40 (50km)
2007 FIS World Ski Championships, Sapporo, JPN: 34 (50km)
2007 FIS World Ski Championships, Sapporo, JPN: 21 (15km)
2007 FIS World Ski Championships, Sapporo, JPN: 39 (Pursuit)
2007 Nor-Am Cup, Canmore, Alta.: 2 (Pursuit)
2007 Nor-Am Cup, Canmore, Alta.: 4 (15km free technique)
2007 Nor-Am Cup, Canmore, Alta.: 15 (Sprint)
2007 Nor-Am Cup, Canmore, Alta.: 5 (Sprint)
2006 Nor-Am Cup, Canmore, Alta.: 19 (15km free technique)
2006 Nor-Am Cup, Canmore, Alta.: 14 (Sprint)
2006 Nor-Am Cup, Canmore, Alta.: 11 (15km classic)
2006 New Zealand Cup, Snowfarm, New Zealand: 1 (10km)
2005-06 Results:
2006 Paralympic Games, Torino, Italy: 1 (5km free technique)
2006 Paralympic Games, Torino, Italy: 3 (7.5km biathlon)
2006 Paralympic Games, Torino, Italy: 1 (10km classic)
2006 Paralympic Games, Torino, Italy: 2 (20km classic)
2006 IPC World Cup, Lillehammer, Norway: 1 (5km classic)
2006 IPC World Cup, Lillehammer, Norway: 3 (20km free technique)
2006 IPC World Cup, Lillehammer, Norway: 1 (Sprint)
2006 USA National Championships, Soldier Hollow, Utah: 16 (15km classic)
2006 USA National Championships, Soldier Hollow, Utah: 14 (Sprint)
2005 World Cup, Vernon, B.C.: 54 (Sprint)
2005 Nor-Am Cup, Canmore, Alta.: 51 (15km classic)
2005 Nor-Am Cup, Canmore, Alta.: 18 (Sprint)
2005 Nor-Am Cup, Vernon, B.C.: 27 (Pursuit)
2004-05 Results:
2005 Ski Nationals, Prince George, BC: 2 (Sprint)
2005 Ski Nationals, Prince George, BC: 3 (Pursuit)
2005 Ski Nationals, Prince George, BC: 4 (10 km classic)
2005 Disabled World Cup Lillehammer, Norway (5km) 1
2005 Disabled World Cup Lillehammer, Norway (20km) 3
2005 Disabled World Championships (10km) 1
2005 Disabled World Championships (5km) 1
2003-04 Results:
2004 Disabled World Cup, Tannheim, Germany: 1 (10 km classic)
2004 Disabled World Cup, Tannheim, Germany: 1 (10 km free technique)
2004 Disabled World Cup, Tannheim, Germany: 1 (sprint)
2004 Disabled World Cup, Mont Orford, Que.: 1 (5 km free technique)
2004 Disabled World Cup, Mont Orford, Que.: 1 (20 km free technique)
2004 Disabled World Cup, Mont Orford, Que.: 1 (sprint)
Pursuit of Excellence:
The skiing lifestyle is great, as are the friends made.
