The Blue Mountain Special Olympics Alpine Team is sending more athletes than ever to the Ontario Provincial games at the end of the month.
There are 20 athletes and seven coaches from the Central Ontario region going to the games representing the Blue Mountain and Barrie teams. They’ve been training at Blue Mountain on the Big Baby run every Sunday this month in preparation for the Games.
“It’s the biggest contingent ever from the area,” said Central Ontario team head coach Patty Federer.
She credits the work of Blue Mountains head coach Terry Sears, who runs the local program.
Sears said the athletes put in a lot of hard work and discipline and that’s led to this year’s success.
The Special Olympics team starts training in the fall, doing dryland sessions with the National Ski Academy.
The Blue Mountains team includes 35 skiers and 45 coaches, and they ski at Blue Mountain every Sunday from January through March. They practise all three racing disciplines including Super G, Giant Slalom and Slalom.
This year, 13 athletes from the Blue Mountains team are going to Sault Ste. Marie for the provincial games from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3.
“It’s a testament to the good support and training,” said Sears, adding the Blue Mountain team athletes are hard-working and dedicated to their sports.
"There’s also been a change at the top level at the sport to allow athletes who cannot live independently to participate in the provincial games," Sears added. "The athletes can bring an off-hill care provider to assist them while they are away at the competition."
Matthew Fields has been skiing since he was three years old. He’s a member of the Blue Mountain team, and won a world championship title in 2017 in Austria.
“It’s a fair field,” he said. “It’s all about enjoying the moments, there’s a time to win, but it’s not all about winning. You’re all there to cheer each other on. It’s about more than winning.”
Robin Shuter, also on the Blue Mountain team heading to provincials, said her personal motto is: “The impossible is only the untried.”
She said being involved in Special Olympics sports has taught her about tolerance, and given her access to a community of supportive people.
“I like that everyone is here to support and to include,” she said. “It’s really a big family … if you fall on a turn, there’s 40 other people behind you ready to help you up.”
Andrew Richards is heading to his second provincial games in six years of skiing. Before joining the team, he said he was a shy person.
“I was a wallflower, I couldn’t talk to anyone,” he said. “It’s helped me a lot … as soon as I picked it up, I loved it. It has helped me get out there and exposed me to different elements.”
Teammate Steph Smith confirms “he was so shy,” when he started. She’s been on the team for 16 seasons and is heading to provincials for the “fourth or fifth time” it’s hard to keep track.
She said she keeps coming back to the team and to the hill because of the friends she’s made.
“I always learn new skills, and love improving my times,” she said. “I just like being out with nature, too.”
In the spirit of support, the Blue Mountain team has opened up their practices to the Barrie team as well.
Michael Wimbs is a Barrie team athlete heading to Sault Ste. Marie this month. He’s been to the world championships before and is looking forward to another competitive season.
He loves the technicality, speed and variety of the sport, but most of all, he loves the camaraderie.
“It brings us together,” said Wimbs.
The Blue Mountain ski team headed to provincials includes James Cleary, Craig Distin, Matthew Fields, Kael Gathier, Kevin Lachance, Krista Robinson, Andrew Richards, Robin Shuter, Steph Smith, Alex Szakall, David Szakall, Erin Wright, and Brad Montieth. The team from Barrie includes Desiree Allen, Angel Blainey, Mackenzie Campbell, Dorian Koster, Braeden Tonn, Michael Wimbs, and Sam Williams.
