There are some great alpine events happening this weekend at Blue Mountain Resort — involving some very special athletes.
Sunday’s race is a Region 6 race for Special Olympic athletes which is a qualifying for the provincials which are happening in Thunder Bay in 2011.
Janet Ellis the Head Coach Blue Mountain Special Olympic Alpine Team says 59 athletes are registered from 6 different teams.
Ellis says the athletes will compete in giant slalom and the slalom in gender, age and division – meaning people with like abilities competing against each other.
Ellis says there is a visual assessment prior to the race.
This allows the referee and the technical delegate to watch while each athlete run the course to make sure they are in the right category.
She adds the Special Olympics are unique as they are focused more on camaraderie and experience in competition rather than winning.
Ellis says it teaches the athletes sportsmanship, friendship and confidence.
All athletes will receive a ribbon for completing the course and several medals will be awarded for first, second and third in the races in each division.
There is a vast range of age of the competitors where the youngest is 11 and the eldest is 49 — and that is why Ellis says the divisions are so important for competitions.
Ellis says the athletes come from various regions from Barrie all the way to London – a region six race as divided by the Special Olympics.
Ellis says the Special Olympics follow a four year cycle just like the Olympics.
All Special Olympic athletes have an intellectual disability and some have a physical disability as well.
The races start 9:45 AM Sunday at the Blue Mountain resort.
Ellis says the resort is a great contributor to the event allowing them to use their facilities and providing all their lift passes.