VERNON – More than 250 athletes hit the slopes at Mountain Creek in Vernon to compete in the final competitions of the 2017 Special Olympics New Jersey Winter Games.
Athletes competed in Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding on Monday as part of the two-day event.
Events are scheduled on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Vernon. Speed skating will be added to the line up of individual sporting events being held at Skylands Ice World in Stockholm.
According to Heather Andersen, President and CEO of Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ), this is the culminating event for the Special Olympics New Jersey skiers, showshoers and speed skaters.
“These athletes have been training throughout the winter for the opportunity to showcase their talents on the snow and ice.” Andersen said.
Among the competitors are three SONJ athletes who will be joining the Special Olympics USA team at the upcoming Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria next month. “Kyle Dehn of Glenwood will be competing in Alpine skiing, Courtney Muns of Garfield will be competing in snowshoeing and Jerry Coburn of Sea Girt will be competing in cross-country skiing.” Andersen added.
SONJ, a not-for-profit located in Lawrenceville, provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in 24 Olympic-type sports for more than 25,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
The organization says it offers the training free of charge, offering athletes continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Patti Sapone may be reached at psapone@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @psapone. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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