It was 10 degrees below zero outside the McLane Family Lodge at the Dartmouth Skiway, the location of the ninth annual Special Olympics Upper Valley Regional Winter Games on Saturday. The athletes undeterred by the cold weather as they stood clad in neon hats and puffy jackets waited excitedly for the Games to begin.
Participants, sporting their team colors, lined up especially early for the traditional parade to the opening ceremonies, eagerly awaiting for the torch to be lit and the Games to be officially underway.
Over 130 athletes the largest group in the program's history traveled to the Skiway from across New Hampshire and Vermont to compete in 20 events ranging from the 200-meter snowshoe competition to "Super G" downhill skiing a form of alpine skiing that is allows skiers to reach high speeds, according to Pete Bleyler '61, regional director for the Special Olympics.
Between 150 and 200 Dartmouth students volunteered for the annual Games this past weekend, according to Haley Carstensen '12, who cochaired the College's Games committee with Martha Gillon '11.
Over 300 individuals overall, including Upper Valley residents, family members and students, helped coordinate logistics, participated in gate management and accompanied athletes to their events, Carstensen said.
Teams which included the Artful Dodgers of Henniker, N.H., and Weare, N.H., and the Claremont Cool Cats of Claremont, N.H. prepared for several weeks leading up to the Games, according to several participants interviewed by The Dartmouth.
"Well, I am very excited, even though I know one of my races is going to be really hard," Rose Kerrigan, a member of the Hawks, said as her team lined up. "But I've been practicing a lot with my team we've been here since 9 a.m."
Kerrigan and her teammates, Steve Leau and Ashley Dow, are employees of Dartmouth Dining Services.
"We did 25 laps the other day," Kerrigan said, looking down as her mother helped buckle her snowshoes. "That's a lot of snow-shoeing."
Special Olympics Vermont director of sports Donna Diaz delivered the opening speech of the Games.
"This is one of those things that has the ability to break down barriers and let us all achieve our goals," she said. "If it wasn't for these athletes here I wouldn't be smiling."
During her address, Diaz invited an athlete to help her lead the crowd in the motto known and repeated by Special Olympians worldwide "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."
Sergeant Shaun O'Keefe, chief of police in Lyme, N.H., then skied in with Games participant Keegan Moriarty to light the torch signifying the beginning of the Games.
Athletes and family members clutching skis, snowboards and other equipment prepared for the competition to begin.
"I'm so excited," a mother said to her bundled-up daughter as she clipped a large number "48" on her back. "I know you can do this."
Carstensen, who has been involved with the Games since her freshman year, said she always looks forward to the opportunity to volunteer with the Special Olympics.
"It's almost selfish, just how much I love it, because I love just how much fun I can have," she said. "I get the chance to spend time with all these passionate, hilarious, energetic and wonderful people."
Ann Kerrigan, Rose's mother, praised the dedication of the event's organizers.
"It's a great social space for the participants and a chance for them to interact with their peers," she said.
Bleyler cofounded the Upper Valley competition in 2003 along with Jim Adler '60, Bleyler said. The event was organized as a community service initiative by the Dartmouth Club of the Upper Valley.
Bleyler's daughter Tracy was a Special Olympian in Virginia before the family moved to New Hampshire. Prior to 2003, local athletes traveled to Concord, N.H. to participate in such events, The Dartmouth previously reported.
Dartmouth students also volunteer at the annual Fall and Summer Games, The Dartmouth previously reported.
