(NEXSTAR) - Paralympic skier Andrew Kurka is competing injury-free in Italy, where he has improved his standing from seventh to fourth place during downhill training runs. Kurka said he is aiming for a podium finish in the upcoming competition. Despite minor allergies, Kurka reported that his preparations have followed his established plan. He successfully targeted specific lines on the course during his initial runs and increased his speed during the second training session. The downhill course in Italy features unique conditions and 42 gates. Kurka noted that he catches air approximately 10 different times throughout the run, which averages to a jump every four gates. The initial jump on the course measures between 25 and 30 meters. "The competition is going to be fierce and it's going to be unique," Kurka said. "This course is unlike anything we've skied yet. It's just so different with the conditions than what we skied before." He described the track as a "win it and send it" type of course and noted that many competitors have already crashed during training sessions. Kurka is joined in Italy by his family, many of whom are watching him compete in person for the first time. He said that while he usually expects to reach the podium, the difficulty of this specific course makes the race results unpredictable for all competitors. "I'm excited to have them watch me compete," Kurka said. "For most of them, this is their very first competition that they get to see me in." Beyond the current games, Kurka is planning a transition away from professional skiing to focus on his business and family. While he mentioned he may remain involved for a few more years or potentially attend the next games, he characterized the current event as his "last great hoorah" and noted that his passion for the sport is waning. "I'm going to be be taking a slow exit from the sport for sure," Kurka said. "After this games, win, lose or draw, I'm going into it knowing that I am podium potential and knowing that I have a shot at the podium, but also knowing that there's other things in life that are starting to become more important to me." Kurka also offered advice for athletes participating in their first Paralympics. He emphasized the importance of staying present amid the potential for feeling overwhelmed by the scale of the event. "For a new athlete, if it's your first games, absorb it, enjoy it," Kurka said. "Be in the moment. Take in everything you can because it is a world of experiences." On race day, Kurka plans to tighten his racing line to secure a spot on the podium. 他 noted that he intends to "send it" to the best of his ability during the final competition. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by Nexstar. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by Nexstar staff before being published