For Immediate Release: March 16, 2013

Adaptive Snowsports Race for Athletes with Disabilities hosted at Jiminy Peak

(Hancock, Ma) Seventy-five disabled ski racers from across the Northeastern states will participate in STRIDE’s 18^th Annual “Great Race / Diana Golden Mills Cup Level I Adaptive Race” held on Saturday morning, March 16^th, 2013 at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Hancock, MA. 

This heartwarming event, a day of monumental achievements realized on the race course at Jiminy Peak, is open to all adaptive skiers of any age, skill level and disability. The event is targeted for youth to experience the thrill of competition on trails, but attracts many adults as well, including Wounded Warriors who STRIDE has a long history of serving.

Sponsors include Englisbe Associates, Disabled Sports USA, Bayer, and Hannaford Supermarkets, along with in-kind sponsors Freihofer, FritoLay, Monster, Mt. Dew, and Chobani. 

Named after Diana Golden, STRIDE’s Great Race honors an American disabled ski racer from Lincoln, Mass, who lost a leg to cancer at age 12, and went on to win 10 world and 19 United States championships between 1986 and 1990 as a “three-tracker”, or one-legged skier. Golden also won an Olympic gold medal in giant slalom at the1988 Calgary Games, where disabled skiing was a demonstration sport. She participated in alpine skiing at two Winter Paralympic Games. After retiring from skiing, her cancer returned, resulting in her death in 2001.

There are divisions for the Visually Impaired, Blind, Cognitive disabilities, amputees, mobility impaired who use outriggers, seated skiers  (wheelchair users); and snowboarders with special needs. The course accommodates different skill levels.   Many of the students with disabilities have trained all season with STRIDE’s dedicated staff of volunteer ski instructors to reach the starting gate on race day—a day that celebrates individual victories and epic successes. The race starts at 9:00 am and themed around St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

STRIDE’s annual race serves as a major fundraiser for the organization through the sale of raffle tickets and donations, and includes a colossal BBQ lunch open to the public.  More than 200 spectators are expected to attend the awards ceremony. Raffle tickets are available at the event, with prizes galore!

The $60 entrance fee includes ski pass, coaches, rental and adaptive equipment, and two runs on the race-course and an outdoor barbeque provided by the Brunswick Boy Scout Troop # 537, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.

*For more information, call the STRIDE office at (518) 598-1279 or visit www.stride.org . 

Regards,

Mary Ellen Whitney, CEO & Founder

STRIDE Adaptive Sports

476 North Greenbush Road #9

Rensselaer, NY 12144

www.stride.org

(office) 518-598-1279

(mobile) 518-466-4251