The Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports/Sugarbush Alpine Race Team competed at the 2018 Special Olympic Winter Games March 19 and 20 at Pico Mountain, Killington, Vermont.
Nine athletes competed in slalom, giant slalom and super-G events: Phillip Kellem, Christopher Riley and Grace Kirpan of Moretown, Tommy Johnson and Josh Bartold of Warren, Gabe Terran of Montpelier, Justin McQuiston of Williston, Lelia Volmer of Craftsbury, and Jesse Campbell of Shelburne. Bennett Townely of Williston and Melisa Lansky of Waterbury trained all season but were unable to compete.
Competing in Advanced Division 2: Johnson placed fourth in slalom, GS and super-G. In Advanced Division 3, Kellem won silver in all three events, Riley won bronze in all three events, and Bartold placed fourth in all three events.
Competing in Intermediate “A” Division 4: McQuiston took gold in slalom, GS and super-G. Terran won silver in slalom, and placed fifth in GS and super-G.
Competing in Intermediate “B” Division 3: Volmer ribboned in Slalom, won silver in GS, and placed fourth in super-G. Kirpan won silver in slalom, bronze in GS, and placed fifth in super-G. Campbell won bronze in slalom, placed fourth in GS, and sixth in super-G.
This was the first time Pico has hosted winter games and all new trails for the competitors. The conditions were fabulous as the event followed a snowstorm that blanketed the mountain with over 50 inches of snow.
The athletes and parents thanked the Vermont Adaptive program director at Sugarbush North, Olivia Joseph; head coach and Vermont Adaptive volunteer Norm Staunton; Vermont Adaptive interns at Sugarbush North, Keara, Michaela, and Andrew; and the many Vermont Adaptive volunteers who individually coached the athletes all season. The team extended gratitude to Sugarbush for their continued generosity and support.
For more information about Vermont Adaptive and for information on how to become a volunteer, visit www.vermontadaptive.org, call the Sugarbush North program director at 802-343-1193, or contact Vermont Adaptive office headquarters at 802-786-4991.
