LOS ANGELES, USA (Feb. 15, 2012) – Josh Dueck, a member of the Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team, had a once in a lifetime experience Tuesday as a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Dueck, of Kimberley, B.C., was invited to appear on the hit talk-variety show after a video of the sit-skier performing a backflip went viral on YouTube. The 30-year-old’s appearance is due to be aired Wednesday.
“It was amazing,” said Dueck, who made the trip to Los Angeles, USA, with his wife Lacey, to take part in the filming of the show. “It’s so good to meet someone that is so grounded and that down to earth, but also that has that celebrity power. She was a treat to work with.”
Dueck, a former freestyle coach who lived to be on the slopes, broke his back in 2004 when he overshot a demonstration jump and lost the use of his legs.
On Feb. 3, he realized a dream to become the first athlete to complete a back flip in a sit-ski and the YouTube video of the flip gained widespread attention and was noticed by Degeneres herself. According to the show’s website, “Ellen saw the incredible, inspirational and heart-stopping footage and had to meet him!”
“I was for sure more nervous today to be on the Ellen show than I was with the thought of doing a back flip,” said Dueck.
The Ellen DeGeneres show airs on CTV – please check your local CTV listings, as times vary per region.