Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Disabled Nationals heads Idaho-way

Soldier Mountain and Hailey will be sites for races, events


By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

Idaho native Brendon Adam, who lost his legs on his second tour in Iraq, takes a lesson from Hailey based instructor Jeff Brame on the top of Bald Mountain. Adam, a former skier and motor cross competitor, will compete in his first nationals, after just 15 days in a sit-ski. Photo by Willy Cook

The winter of 2008 will live on in snow sports enthusiasts' memories for years to come. On top of the excellent conditions and generous snowfall this season, two important events are taking place in our backyard. This week it's the 2008 Special Olympics Invitational Winter Games in Sun Valley, and from Monday, March 3, through Saturday, March 8, the 21st annual Hartford Ski Spectacular for Disabled Skiers will be held at Soldier Mountain, west of the Wood River Valley near Fairfield. Wood River Ability Program, Soldier Mountain and the Soldier Mountain Alpine Skiing Association will host the event.

Otherwise known as the nationals, the competition is a stepping stone towards the U.S. Disabled Ski Team.

"Anyone vying to be on the national team will be there," team Program Director Sandy Metzger said. "We expect about 70 athletes. We'll bring nine disabled ski team staff and three others from marketing. The Hartford is bringing 45 guests. They'll have a conference and then tie in to the event. They'll watch the Super G on Wednesday and on Thursday be part of the Pro-Am race. There are four people on a team that includes a disabled ski team member or alumnus."

Unlike the Special Olympics, which are for cognitively and developmentally disabled athletes who ski on specially designed courses, disabled athletes are physically disabled and compete on Fédération Internationale de Ski, or FIS, courses, as do able-bodied athletes. Many of these athletes were injured in military action. In fact, this is the first nationals in which wounded vets from both the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts will compete.

The racers will include X-Games athletes, as well as Chris Devlin-Young, a member of the U.S. Disabled Ski Team, Tyler Walker, on sabbatical from the U.S. Disabled Ski Team and Elitsa Storey, a Ketchum resident and also a member of the U.S. Disabled Ski Team.

The Mint in Hailey will be open to the public at 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, to mingle with the athletes after their closing-night dinner and ceremony. Music will be provided by the Hailey All-Stars, a band that consists of Todd Rippo, Keith Joe Dick, Kim Stocking and Allan Kaufman.

"Most of the athletes are staying at the AmericInn Lodge," Metzger said. "So we're in Hailey. We want the athletes to have a whole experience and see a part of Idaho. We're really excited about Soldier Mountain. It will offer four FIS courses. This allows skiers to gain international race points for this race. It's a high-level race-very important."

Ski race schedule

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily

Tuesday, March 4, downhill

Wednesday, March 5, Super G

Thursday, March 6, Pro-Am

Friday, March 7 GS,

Sat. March 8, Slalom.




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