BY KELLY URBAN
BAKERSVILLE — Tuesday was a great day for skiing.
As the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games wrapped up, 140 alpine athletes had one last shot to show off their skills on the slopes at Hidden Valley Four Seasons Resort.
Mike Suman, the alpine sports director, said alpine skiing is broken down into three events – downhill, slalom and giant slalom – and there are three skill levels.
“We have novice, intermediate and advanced levels, and the coaches evaluate the athletes during prelims to see if they need to move up or down a level,” he said.
Suman said he makes a point of being on the slopes while the athletes are competing and offers encouragement as they make their way through the courses.
“We cheer them on and tell them to do their best,” he said.
A big part of the alpine event is that about 200 volunteers, made up of high school and college students and area residents, come work with the athletes.
“This is such a great cause, and everyone wants to help out and be a part of it,” said Marilyn Pavlakovic, the alpine volunteer coordinator.
Pavlakovic admitted things get hectic at times, but she and the other volunteers simply enjoy being with the athletes.
“This is a wonderful experience for the high school volunteers, and after they are here one year, they always want to come back,” she said.
For 10-year-old Marissa Penrose of Johnstown, competing is a good way to be with her friends.
“It’s fun,” she said while taking a break between runs.
Marissa, who has skied with the Cambria County team for two years, said she practices at Hidden Valley every Sunday.
“It’s something to do, and I did well today and didn’t fall at all,” she said.
Although Special Olympics is a competition, Suman said, it’s also a social event where athletes can interact with one another and forge lasting friendships.
“For some of them, this is the only time they get to do something like this, so we want them to have fun along the way,” he said.
