Annual Ski Spectacular opens in Breckenridge

Some 800 disabled skiers, including military veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan learning to ski, will be competing today and Friday at the annual Ski Spectacular presented by The Hartford. U.S. Disabled Ski Team coaches see the gathering as a terrific recruiting tool to keep the disabled squad among the world's best.
BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. — Some 800 disabled skiers, including military veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan learning to ski, will be competing today and Friday at the annual Ski Spectacular presented by The Hartford. U.S. Disabled Ski Team coaches see the gathering as a terrific recruiting tool to keep the disabled squad among the world's best.
    Snow overnight may create some iffy conditions for Thursday's slalom, head coach Ray Watkins said Wednesday night. "But, Breck is doing a tremendous job moving snow around so the race hill is in the best condition, and we should have some outstanding racing," he said.
    Disabled team athletes have been training in addition to meeting with participants in the Ski Spectacular, which has been held at Breckenridge for two decades. "We were at Copper Mountain and we've been here at Breck and we've gotten great assistance from John Leffler and his Team Quantum athletes. It's been a great build-up to this national race festival. The national team athletes have been mentoring and even doing some coaching for these aspiring skiers," he said.
    The schedule calls for a slalom Thursday and a giant slalom Friday with a Diana Golden Series development race Saturday.
    About 60 Wounded Warriors, military veterans who were wounded, are participating and many have shown interest in moving onto the national team. "Some of them are paratroopers, and they're all high-energy. What they lack in racing — or even skiing — experience doesn't bother them. They're determined to find a way to reach their goal, which in ome cases is moving up to the Ski Team. Great. We want that enthusiasm and they'll get experience," Watkins said.
    The Ski Spectacular opened Tuesday night with 2007 World Cup multi-champion and '06 Paralympic slalom gold medalist Stephani Victor speaking to an overflow banquet crowd. A highly motivating speaker, she described her experiences and the positives she has found in racing.