DSUSA Celebrates 25 Years of Hosting The Hartford Ski Spectacular

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="350"] Photographs by Ken Watson, courtesy of DSUSA.[/caption] A skiff of snow fell in Breckenridge, Colorado, ending a recent dry spell just in time for the 25th annual The Hartford Ski Spectacular, hosted by Disabled Sports USA (DSUSA), the week of December 2-9, 2012. More than 750 participants, including 150 wounded warriors and their families, were treated to lessons in downhill and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, sled hockey, curling, and plenty of après-ski activities at Beaver Run Resort and Breckenridge Ski Resort. Ski and snowboard race training, sponsored by U.S. Paralympics, helped athletes prepare for future national and international competitions, including the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. Many participants of previous Ski Spectaculars returned to receive advanced coaching and race competitively in U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA)-Level II events along with members of the U.S. Paralympic Alpine Skiing National Team. DSUSA awarded scholarships to this year's National Race Festival to 25 up-and-coming young athletes with disabilities. The National Race Festival is a three-tiered program featuring mid-level development for youth and adults interested in racing, a "learn to race" event for athletes in pursuit of Paralympic competition, and mentorship opportunities from members of the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team, other nationally ranked athletes, and wounded warriors. "It was encouraging to see so many people with disabilities out there shredding up the mountain," said Retired Air Force SrA Harmony Allen. "To come here and not be told you can't because of your disability, but instead, 'let's see how we can make this work,' is everything. This is the most fun I've had in a while." DSUSA also tapped 17 young, emerging athletes who are in school and actively training and competing to be members of the 2012-2013 E-Team. DSUSA provides E-Team members with a training grant, scholarships to events such as the Ski Spectacular, and a platform for mentorship by national athletes. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="350"] Photographs by Ken Watson, courtesy of DSUSA.[/caption] "Disabled Sports USA was thrilled to host the largest youth race-training program through our National Race Festival and one of the largest contingents of wounded warriors through our Warfighter Sports rehabilitation program in our 25 years of The Hartford Ski Spectacular," said Kirk Bauer, JD, executive director of DSUSA. "These two groups are priorities for Disabled Sports USA." Special guests this year included Amy Purdy, a bilateral, lower-limb amputee and world champion adaptive snowboarder who recently competed in television's Amazing Race . Also attending were several Paralympians who competed in the 2012 Games in London- Sam Kavanagh, who received a bronze medal in paracycling; Alana Nichols, who competed in wheelchair basketball; and Muffy Davis, a three-time gold medalist in handcycling. "This is by far the best recreational trip I have seen as a patient and as staff," said Retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Timothy Bleigh, who is also a staff member at the National Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California. "The volunteers really made this group excel." Wounded service members attending included patients from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland; Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; National Naval Medical Center; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, California; and a group from the British Limbless Ex-Service Members Association (BLESMA). This Ski Spectacular is also a venue for those who want to make a difference for individuals with disabilities through sports education, adaptive equipment displays and demonstrations, continuing education for instructors and coaches, and networking. Coaches, instructors, program directors, and DSUSA chapter executives shared information about state-of-the-art adaptive sports equipment, event organization, fund raising, procedures, and programs. The Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) offered a number of continuing education clinics in adaptive techniques. The corporate Challenge Team Race, a competition pairing able-bodied and disabled skiers, capped off the week's activities. Other festivities during the weeklong event included opening and closing banquets, an 80s theme night to celebrate the 25th anniversary, and a Casino Night Fundraiser, sponsored by DSUSA. Proceeds from the fundraiser help to fund the National Race Festival Scholarship Program. "We're proud to be able to partner with The Hartford to offer this unique event to the physically disabled community, and we are grateful for the support of so many volunteers and the contributions by elite athletes, coaches, and mentors," Bauer said. "It's an important program that helps people with disabilities learn new skills and build their confidence."

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DSUSA Celebrates 25 Years of Hosting The Hartford Ski Spectacular

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