Steve McKinney

Who was Steve McKinney?

Steve McKinney was an American Alpine skier and mountaineer who is acknowledged as an early pioneer in the sport of extreme skiing. 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 made him the first speed skier to break the 200 km/h barrier. Between 1974 and 1987, McKinney set seven world speed skiing records in competitions around the world.

In the 1980s, McKinney became an accomplished mountain climber. In 1986 he led an expedition to Mount Everest, during which he became the first person to fly a hang-glider off the mountain.

Steve was one of eight McKinney children. His half-sister, Tamara McKinney, became a world champion World Cup skier.