Posted for Nancy Yearout
RE/MAX Properties of the Summit, Breckenridge, Colorado
nyearout@colorado.net
http://www.realestate-breckenridge.net
For the 25th consecutive year, Copper Mountain will host the Special Olympics
statewide winter competition. The event will take place March 3, featuring
outdoor snow events in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding and
snowshoeing.
“There's a longstanding venue partnership for any kind of
event,” said Amy Turner, Special Olympics Colorado VP of marketing and corporate
partnerships. “We have so many first-rate world class facilities up in Summit
County, it's really a tribute to Copper Mountain and the people there that have
helped us put on the event over the years.”
Around 250 athletes and
Unified Partners (athletes without intellectual disabilities) will be out on the
slopes to compete for gold, silver and bronze medals. They will be backed by 75
coaches and around 300 volunteers, in addition to spectators. There will be 38
different races, with medals awarded at the finish line. The mountain will be
open throughout and the public is encouraged to watch.
“It means a lot to
our athletes to have spectators come out and watch them and cheer them on, so we
do encourage that,” Turner said.
Five of the athletes recently
participated in the Special Olympics world championships held in South Korea in
late January. For Bryan Terry, it was his second time at the world games,
competing in the cross-country skiing event. Terry will co-emcee the closing
ceremony alongside Marc Stout of ROOT Sports.
To qualify for the state
championships, athletes must participate in their area championships first.
Colorado has five regions. By winning their race or achieving a specific time,
an athlete can then advance to the state championship. There is no age limit for
athletes and categories are arranged by skill level.
“Special Olympics
Colorado Winter Games is one of our annual signature events and a great
opportunity for citizens in the Summit County and metro Denver areas to come out
and support our athletes,” Mindy Watrous, president and CEO of Special Olympics
Colorado, recently stated in a press release.
Spectators are encouraged
to watch the competitions at various locations on the mountain. Cross-country
skiing and snowshoeing will take place at the base of A Lift from 10 a.m. to 3
p.m. Downhill events also begin at 10 and will take place on the Carefree Two,
Easy Feeling, Scooter and Copperopolis trails.
The closing ceremony will
be at the Bighorn Ballroom from 4-4:30 p.m. and is open to the public. It acts
as a tribute to the athletes, with a slideshow presentation of photos taken
throughout the day.
Following the closing ceremony is the victory
celebration, which traditionally includes a dance, from 4:30-6 p.m.
A
fireworks show will take over the skies from 6 p.m. The best place for viewing
will be at Burning Stone Plaza.
“What we're hoping for in our 25th
anniversary is really to get more people out to cheer on our athletes,” Turner
said, “particularly participating in closing ceremonies and being out there to
support at the fireworks show.”
Courtesy of the Summit Daily News
