The Ontario Disabled Alpine Racing Team had a great showing this past weekend at the first ever Ontario Winter Paralympic Games, graciously hosted by the town of Huntsville Ontario. Event organizers Erin Hamilton and Debbie Low, did an outstanding job of pulling the games together, and welcoming over 600 participants from 7 different sports disciplines.

 The alpine events were held at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Club, with the help of club representatives Don MacLachlan and Doug Litchfield, who along with many volunteers, race crew, and hill groomers, made the entire event the huge success that it was.

 

The competition itself lived up to all expectations of intensity and excitement. The Ontario Team welcomed 3 new members to its junior program, and they did not disappoint, all competing in their first disabled competition ever. Newcomer Michael Whitney of North Bay claimed the highest prize, taking the gold medal in the junior giant slalom. Three tracker Will Goessart, of Toronto, captured 2 medals in the junior division, taking bronze in the slalom, and silver in the GS. Another first time racer, Kaemon Dubeau of North Bay, had difficulty completing the icy, treacherous courses, but did live to race another day.

Team Ontario adult racers, also had great success. Jan Hymers of Brampton had 4 solid runs on the weekend, finishing 5^th in the slalom and 6^th in the giant slalom in the ladies division. Veteran sit ski racers Bill Brouse of Puslinch, and Andre Nasvytis of Dundas, brought home a medal each, Bill claiming silver in the slalom, and Andre grabbing bronze in the G.S. Blind racer David Brown of Toronto, along with guide Gwen Binsfeld of King City, took the bronze in the slalom. Last year’s ODART rookie of the year, James Binsfeld of King City, took home the silver from the standing division of the men’s G.S, finishing 2nd by a mere 3/100ths of a second. Second year stand up racer, Neil Mosburger of Kitchener, also turned in 4 solid runs, finishing 9^th in the G.S. and 5^th in the slalom. But it would be two Ontario Team racers that would be the fastest racers down the hill at this year’s Ontario Winter Paralympic games. Second year racer Rob Scott of Whitby, was the fastest man on the mountain in Saturday’s giant slalom, with a combined raw time of  43.38 seconds. That would factor into a 4^th place finish for the amputee racer, just one second back of the gold medal time. Scott also finished 4^th in the slalom. Last year’s ODART racer of the year, and Canadian National Team member, Stephen Wall of Toronto, took 5^th spot in the G.S., but left everyone in the dust at the slalom, capturing gold with 2 awe inspiring runs.

 

            The Ontario Disabled Alpine Racing Team wishes to thank all the volunteers, organizers, officials, athletes, and coaches, for making the first ever Ontario Winter Paralympic games, an overwhelming success. We look forward to the 2008 Games to be hosted by Collingwood Ontario, with the Alpine events to be held at the Craigleith Ski Club.

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