BY KELLY URBAN
BAKERSVILLE — Monday was an ideal day for skiing.
As the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games opened in the area, over 120 Alpine athletes from across the state took to the slopes to show off their skills at Hidden Valley Four Seasons Resort.
Jennifer Tresp, senior competition director for Special Olympics Pennsylvania, said this year’s alpine skiing is broken down into slalom, giant slalom and super giant slalom and there are three skill levels.
“We have novice, intermediate and advanced levels, and the athletes are evaluated during the prelims to determine their abilities,” she said.
“It’s a timed event and we evaluate their speed from the top to the bottom of the hill and their ability to make the gates.”
Tresp added that athletes begin training eight weeks prior to the games and are ready and motivated to do their best when they get to the resort.
“When I walk through the room there is just pure excitement and the athletes can’t wait to get on the slopes,” she said.
A big part of the event is the
250 volunteers, made up of high school and college students and local residents, who come to work with the athletes.
“We match volunteers with the athletes and we hope to have one escort per athlete,” said Louise Wilhelm, the alpine venue volunteer coordinator.
Planning for the games is a year-round process, and Wilhelm and her management team also are responsible for booking hotel rooms and getting sponsors.
“Everyone likes to help out because it’s rewarding and to see the athletes get their awards and their faces makes everything come together and worth the work,” she said.
For athlete Johnathan Reynolds, 8, fun is the name of the game.
“I like to go down the big hills,” he said after finishing a run. “I don’t get scared.”
Johnathan, a pupil at Conemaugh Township Area Intermediate School, has been skiing for three years.
“This is my first year competing and I want to keep skiing because I get to be with my friends,” he said. “I want to try snowboarding, too.”
Robert Rager, 31, of Johnstown is no stranger to Alpine because he’s been competing for eight years with the Cambria County team.
“I love skiing and I love snow,” he said enthusiastically. “Seeing my friends is great.”
He admitted he gets a bit nervous before he makes a run, but tells himself to stay calm.
“Just have fun and go hard,” Rager said.
He has aquired roughly 125 medals and proudly displays them in his home.
“Last three I got three gold medals and every year I want to do better,” Rager said.
Although Special Olympics is a competition, Tresp said it’s also a social event where athletes are able to rekindle old friendships and build on forging new ones.
“We just want them to do the best they can and as long as they do that they will be a success and a winner,” she said.
Other events held Monday included cross country skiing and snowshoe at Blue Knob Ski Resort; speed skating at Planet Ice in Richland Township; and figure skating at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena. The games wrap up today with awards and closing ceremonies.
