Smiling faces abounded at Dartmouth Skiway's lodge as Special Olympic athletes socialized with one another and waited in anticipation for their events to start.
Over 90 athletes across 13 teams and over 120 supporters gathered at the skiway for the annual Upper Valley Winter Special Olympics on Saturday, according to director Jim Beattie. Though the cross-country skiing events were canceled due to icy conditions and lack of snow, the alpine skiing and snowboarding races, as well as the snowshoeing events, proceeded as planned.
Beattie said athlete participation decreased by 20 percent this year from a usual number of around 120 athletes.
This year's low turnout may be due to time conflicts with other Winter Special Olympic games in the area, according to Upper Valley Special Olympics committee member Sara Peterson '14.
The games are usually held on the Saturday after Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, but scheduling conflicts forced the committee to move the event to a week later. The new date coincided with other local Special Olympic events such as the Penguin Plunge, organized by Special Olympics Vermont.
Beattie said he hoped that this year's scheduling conflict was a one-time occurrence.
To start off the games, athletes paraded from the lodge down to the ski area, and a skier carried a flame from the top of the mountain to light the cauldron.
A brief opening ceremony featured a performance by the Rockapellas and an introduction by former Olympian Tiger Shaw '85.
After each race, organizers distributed prize ribbons and all participants received a ribbon.
"Everyone goes away as a winner," Beattie said. "It's a great setup."
Alpine skiing and snowboarding events were divided into novice, intermediate and advanced sections.
The section divisions ensured that competitors engaged with those of similar skill level.
Snowshoeing events were divided by distance, ranging from 15 to 1,600 meters, according to Peterson.
The event saw a strong showing of support from College sports teams and other organizations. Two full varsity sports teams, the women's crew team and softball team, and members of Chi Gamma Epsilon fraternity came to cheer on the athletes.
The figure skating team and various other volunteers arrived to help set up the games, Beattie said.
Approximately 60 Dartmouth students volunteered at the event, Peterson said.
Dartmouth Ski Patrol contributed to the events proceedings by ensuring the safety of competitors. Skiway management and employees were also helpful, Beattie said.
"The Skiway does a terrific job, they really try to work with us and put snow where we're going to need it," Beattie said. "We really appreciate their help."
Rachel Funk '15, who volunteered with Sigma Delta sorority, assisted with the snowshoeing races.
She said she enjoyed her experience because of the supportive environment and close proximity to the College.
Volunteering through the women's crew team, Shia Li Lum '16 assisted five athletes on the Caledonia team.
She said she built relationships with the athletes throughout the events.
"One of them called me her best friend and it made my day," she said.
Beattie, who directed the games for the first time this year, said he enjoyed the day and thought that the events went smoothly.
"People are having fun, lots of smiles, lots of tough competition," he said. "The athletes are out there doing their best and it's just filled with energy."
Shirley Ingerson, the head coach of the Woodsville Special Olympics team, said that the games are a great experience for her athletes.
Ten-year-old Jack Rasmussen participated in the alpine skiing events and has been skiing since he was six years old.
"Skiing is my favorite sport," he said. "I love it a lot."
White Mountain High School graduate Evelyn White began snowshoeing in high school and participated in the snowshoeing events at the Winter Games. She said her events were very exciting and that she will participate again next year. This is the 11th year that the skiway has hosted the Special Olympics.
