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Summer is no break for Boro’s Kapinowski

By Melissa Peace

Although she is currently on break from her stint as a medal winner with US Wheelchair Curling Team, Point Pleasant resident Jacqui Kapinowski is certainly not mastering the art of relaxation this summer.

“I have races coming up in Belmar, Long Island, Maine, Cape Cod, Utica and then we are going to start training again with the curling team in September,” said Ms. Kapinowski, 45, who has taken athleticism to a new level recently, with her turn as both a wheelchair racer and curler.

Diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, a progressive neurological disorder, in 2001, the borough resident has been forced to rely on a wheelchair to move around, though the new form of mobility has not been able to crush her insatiable appetite for athletic competition.

On June 14, Ms. Kapinowski helped a local organization raise funds for autism research while competing in a 75-mile race in her hand cycle.

The event, called “Ride for Autism” and sponsored by the J.T. Foundation, was a grueling one for the experienced racer.

“It was really rough at the end, but it was for such a good cause that I had to keep going,” said Ms. Kapinowski.

The race took the participants in a loop beginning in Brookdale and extending though several towns before ending the course.

The borough resident became involved with the J.T. Foundation after participating in an event held by the organization at the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk last year.

“The Hughes family [the foundation’s developers] are so wonderful and I have become good friends with them since last year,” said Ms. Kapinowski.

Along with helping out local causes, Ms. Kapinowski recently took home third place in the race known as “Grandma’s Marathon” in Minnesota.

The race featured over 30 wheelchair competitors, with Ms. Kapinowski coming in third place in the women’s division.

Although she competed in her chair this year, Ms. Kapinowski said she actually ran the race several years ago.

“I think I am the only person to have run it and then compete in a wheelchair,” she said.

The third place win was a complete surprise to Ms. Kapinowski, who said she expected to come in somewhere along the lines of fifteenth place.

“I think the adrenaline kicked in towards the end. Even Harry [Ms. Kapinowski’s husband of nearly two decades] was surprised,” laughed Ms. Kapinowski.

With a full plate of races scheduled for Ms. Kapinowski this summer, she said she continues to keep her mind on curling while she waits to train with the team in September.