Special Olympians snowshoe, ski in Farmington

FARMINGTON — It was a day of fun for 69-plus Special Olympians at Titcomb Mountain on Friday.

Some were practicing for the start of the Special Olympics Maine State Winter Games on Jan. 26-28 at Sugarloaf Mountain in Carrabassett Valley.

Others were just enjoying the snow and a day on the mountain, Gerold Toothaker, Jay AMVETS Special Olympics Committee chairman and Franklin County area manager for Special Olympics Maine, said.

The competitors included students from RSU 9, RSU 73 and SAD 58. There were also adults competing from Work First in Farmington and Team Opportunities from Carthage, he said.

Snow flew as Olympians snowshoed toward the finish line 25 meters away in a fast-paced race. Others found a more moderate pace.

The snowshoe races followed cross-country ski races of 50 and 100 meters.

AMVETS Post 33 sponsors the winter games locally, along with a competition in May and June. Several volunteers helped competitors adjust ski equipment, line up and time races.

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Jay were preparing lunch for everyone in the ski lodge, he said.

There were 69 competitors signed up to participate but Toothaker estimated there were more than that.

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