RUMFORD – Seventy-eight athletes – ages 7 to 77 – who missed a chance to compete in January at Special Olympics of Maine at Sugarloaf, are to hit the slopes of glory this week.
In the first state-sanctioned Special Olympics of Maine event, athletes from Oxford and Kennebec counties are to compete in snowshoe, Nordic, Alpine and sit-ski competitions on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 7 and 8, at Black Mountain of Maine.
It is also a first for Black Mountain to host the event, expected to also attract a support group of more than 150 volunteers.
“It sounds like it’s going to be a couple of phenomenal days,” Black Mountain spokesman Craig Zurhorst said Friday afternoon.
“This is the full show, but just for the two counties,” he added.
Co-organizer Bruce Little of Norway said Friday afternoon that both Oxford and Kennebec counties were excluded from the Sugarloaf competition due to a lack of lodging at the Carrabassett Valley ski resort.
“Every year, one or two counties have to sit it out, but, this time, we said, We’re doing this,'” Little said.
“Black Mountain has been the site of practice day every year. They’ve been extremely good for us, and we wanted to bring something good back to the mountain,” he added.
Tuesday’s events begin with opening ceremonies from 11:15 a.m. to noon, which are to be led by Wendall “Chummy” Broomhall, a two-time Olympian.
At 1 p.m., time trial qualifiers begin. That will be followed by a lasagna banquet from 5 to 6 p.m. at the lodge, a bonfire from 6 to 6:30 p.m., and a dance at the lodge from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with a live band.
Also during the day on Tuesday and at the dance, six racers from Oxford Plains Speedway and their race cars are to be at the mountain, Little said.
Others at the dance include two Miss Teen Maine International contestants, and mascots from three athletic teams: “Crackers” from the Portland Pirates, “Louie” from the Lewiston Maineiacs, and “Slugger” from the Portland Sea Dogs.
Wednesday’s events begin with an 8 a.m. breakfast, followed by finals from 9 to 11 a.m. in all events and classes.
For more information, phone Little at 743-8041, Cara Maloney at 743-0756, or Zurhorst at 364-8977.
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