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2011 Paralympic Sport Awards Shortlists

Editor — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 08:24:29 +0000

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) will be presenting the 2011 Paralympic Sport Awards in the course of the IPC General Assembly to be held in Beijing, China, in December this year. These awards are conferred on top Paralympic athletes and officials who have contributed to the last Paralympic Games, in this case to the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games. The Paralympic Sport Awards categories are as follows: Best Male Athlete, Best Female Athlete, Best Paralympic Games Debut, Best Team Performance, and Exemplary Paralympic Games Official. Recently the shortlists for the Best Male and Best Female Athlete awards were announced.

Finalists for the Best Male Athlete award are as follows:

Gerd Schoenfelder
Irek Zaripov
Jakub Krako
Brian McKeever
Adam Hall

Gerd Schoenfelder is an alpine skier from Germany who brought home five medals from Vancouver. He boasts a total of 22 Paralympic Games medals, of which 16 are gold. At the age of 41, Shoenfelder announced his plans to retire after great success at the 2011 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships in Italy.

Irek Zaripov is a Russian cross-country skier and biathlete. The loss of both his legs following a car accident in 2000 did not dampen his spirits. His participation in the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games saw him winning four gold medals and one silver medal.

Jakub Krako from Slovakia is a visually impaired alpine skier. He won gold in the slalom, giant slalom and Super G events at Vancouver, as well as silver for the Super Combined. He also enjoyed taking home the 2011 Slalom World Cup.

Brian McKeever is a biathlete and cross-country skier from Canada. He has been skiing since the age of three, and his vision began fading at the age of 19. McKeever claimed three gold medals in cross-country skiing at Vancouver. In 2007 he became Canada’s first disabled athlete to participate in an able-bodied event. McKeever has already been a recipient of the Paralympic Sport Awards Best Male Athlete award in 2007.

Adam Hall from New Zealand was born with spina bifida. He was able to win a gold medal at Vancouver in the Alpine Skiing Slalom Standing event, after recovering from a fall in his second run.

Finalists for the Best Female Athlete award are as follows:

Verena Bentele
Lauren Woolstencroft
Vasilyeva Liubov
Henrieta Farkasova
Alana Nichols

Verena Bentele is a visually impared biathlete and cross-country skier from Germany. She won five gold medals at Vancouver, bringing her total Winter Games medal wins to 16. She was the recipient of the 2011 Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award.

Lauren Woolstencroft is a Canadian alpine skier who was born without legs below the knee, as well as no left arm below the elbow. Skiing since four years of age and skiing competitively since the age of 14, she won four events at Vancouver. She was a recipient of the 2007 Paralympic Sports Awards Best Female Athlete award in 2007. She has over 50 medals to her name.

Vasilyeva Liubov from Russia is a visually impaired cross-country skier and biathlete. She enjoyed various victories in the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games, including a gold, two silvers and a bronze. She is also known for taking part in Wheelchair Fencing.

Henrieta Farkasova is a Slovakian alpine skier. She won four alpine skiing medals, three of which were gold, in the recent Vancouver Games.

Alana Nichols of the USA is an alpine skier who also participates in Wheelchair Basketball. At the Vancouver Games she claimed two gold, one silver and one bronze.

Skiing in Tasmania

Editor — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 08:51:41 +0000

Tasmania lies to the south of mainland Australia, and is an island that is known for its impressive mountain ranges, of which eight stand higher than 1 500 meters above sea level. The peak that overshadows the other mountains is Mount Ossa, which stands proudly at 1 614 meters. Together with Victoria and New South Wales, Tasmania is amongst the most popular skiing destinations in Australia. The breathtaking Tasmanian Wilderness provides the ideal location for cross country skiing, while other resorts offer numerous winter sport activities.

June to October are the most favorable months for skiing in Tasmania. Mount Mawson and Ben Lomond are the two main resorts on the island. Ben Lomond is located just outside of Launceston. Situated in the Ben Lomond National Park, skiers will not only enjoy exciting skiing conditions but the scenery will be memorable too. The village is nestled in the mountains at an elevation of 1 460 meters, with its mountain peak being at 1 570 meters. The resort is popular for Alpine skiing, and in 1929 the Northern Tasmanian Alpine Club was established here. Starting off as a small chalet, it soon developed into a successful resort that included visitor facilities, accommodation and ski lifts. A team to oversee the Skifield Development Area was founded in 1995, and the Department of Parks and Wildlife announced in 2010 that a project was underway to introduce snowmaking machines to the ski area and to develop a snowboard park.

Other downhill ski operations also exist in Tasmania, such as those at Mount Mawson, which is situated in the Mount Field National Park. There are two rope tows available for intermediate skiers and one rope tow for more experienced skiers, as it features steep terrain and limited accommodation is available at this resort facility.

When snowfall allows it, cross country skiing and Alpine skiing is available at Cradle Mountain, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Wilderness Area. In total, there are twenty-eight mountains in Tasmania and most of them are over 1 220 meters. So, for cross country skiing and backcountry locations, skiers are recommended to visit Ben Lomond National Park, Mount Field National Park and Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park, with Mount Mawson and Ben Lomond offering picturesque downhill ski resorts.

Ski Orienteering – Skill, Endurance & Quick Thinking

Editor — Fri, 06 May 2011 09:07:38 +0000

As one of the four disciplines regulated by the International Orienteering Federation (the others being foot orienteering, mountain bike orienteering and trail orienteering) ski orienteering is a winter activity requiring strength, endurance and technical skiing skills, along with the ability to make split-second decisions while navigating cross-country terrain, often at high speed. Participants use standard skate-skiing equipment and a map of the area indicating trails and other relevant information is provided. A laminated map can be attached to the chest area at a roughly 90 degree angle for ease of reference. A compass can be attached to the map, or alternatively, on a skier’s arm. While ski orienteering is a form of cross-country skiing, it requires tremendous upper body strength to navigate narrow snow trails and changes in elevation.

During ski orienteering competitions participants must navigate a dense ski track network, with the goal of visiting multiple control points in a specified sequence. As a time-measured activity, the fastest time wins, and tracking is carried out electronically to ensure competitors visit all control points in the correct sequence. While the track network is printed on the map provided, along with other information, such as the width and quality of the tracks and terrain, there are no physical route markers, and one wrong decision can mean the end of the race.

World Ski Orienteering Championships are held every second year (on odd-numbered years) and include the categories of Sprint, Middle and Long Distance, as well as Relay for men and women. The World Cup is held on even-numbered years, and Junior World Ski Orienteering Championships, as well as World Masters Ski Orienteering Championships are held annually.

Ski orienteering as a sport is becoming increasing popular among adventure seekers, and the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) is lobbying for it to be included in the 2018 Olympic Winter Games program. As ski orienteering is a feature of the CISM World Military Winter Games and the Asian Winter Games, and with around 35 nations having competed in the 2011 World Ski Orienteering Championships held in Sweden in March, it seems very likely that the sport’s Olympic hopes will be realized.

Cross-Country Skiing in Australia

Editor — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 08:58:47 +0000

With snow skiing season drawing to a close in the northern hemisphere, skiers in the southern hemisphere are no doubt looking forward to indulging in their favorite sport. With a number of ski resorts catering exclusively for cross-country skiing, Australia offers adventurers a range of challenging terrain and spectacular scenery to choose from.

As part of the Yarra Ranges National Park, Mount Donna Buang is located around 80 kilometers from Melbourne and is the closest snowfield to this vibrant Australian city, making it a popular snow sport destination. The rough terrain is enjoyed by trekkers throughout the year, but in the winter time it becomes a playground for tobogganing and cross-country skiing.

Also located in the Yarra Ranges National Park in the Victoria State of Australia is the cross-country ski resort of Lake Mountain, so named after the surveyor-general of the area, George Lake. An exclusively cross-country skiing resort, Lake Mountain boasts up to 37 kilometers of ski and toboggan trails through the park, as well as a visitor center which was opened in 2004. During the other seasons of the year, Lake Mountain is popular with trekkers and mountain bikers. Unfortunately, the area suffered extensive damage as a result of rampant bush-fires in 2009, and although much has been done to restore the area visitors will still see evidence of fire damage.

Located around 230 kilometers from Melbourne, Mount Stirling is a back-country and cross-country resort within close proximity to the more commercial Mount Buller ski resort. Reaching the summit of the mountain takes some effort, but that is all part of the adventure of cross-country skiing. Skiers who choose to go this route will be rewarded with breathtaking views of Mount Buller and higher regions of the Great Dividing Range of Australia, including Mount Cobbler, Mount Howitt and Mount Speculation. Entrance to the patrolled ski area is monitored during the winter months and Mount Stirling has a number of huts to provide emergency shelter to skiers.

So, if you enjoy the excitement and challenge of cross-country skiing, Australia has more than enough options to keep you busy all season.

Cross Country 10/5km Freestyle New Zealand

Editor — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:40:11 +0000

This event is for both able-bodied and adaptive athletes. Freestyle is generally faster than classic cross country skiing, with athletes using shorter and stiffer skis in a similar action to that of a roller blader or ice skater – pushing out at an angle. Athletes are judged on an individual time trial basis, with individual athletes starting in intervals of around 30 seconds, and the fastest individual time determining the winner.

Date: Sunday 14 August 2011
Venue: Snow Farm
Location: Pisa Mountain Range – 35 Km from Wanaka/ 55 km from Queenstown
Country: New Zealand

Cross Country Sprint New Zealand

Editor — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:38:03 +0000

The Nordic trails of Snow Park will be the venue for the Cross Country Sprint. A new course is being set out for the 2011 event, and spectators will be able to see the entire course from the Snow Farm base building. The race runs on individual time trials, with a 15-second interval start. The top sixteen athletes will compete in elimination heats, with the final round being a competition between the four fastest athletes.

Date: Sunday 14 August 2011
Venue: Snow Farm
Location: Pisa Mountain Range – 35 Km from Wanaka/ 55 km from Queenstown
Country: New Zealand

Cross Country 15/10km Classic

Editor — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:31:35 +0000

Taking place along the Nordic ski trails of Snow Farm, New Zealand, the Cross Country 15/10km Classic is set to challenge the endurance of competitors. The men’s course covers a distance of 15 km, with the women competitors completing 10 km. Competitors will be using the long, narrow and light skis of classic cross country skiing and first across the finish line is the winner.

Date: Saturday 13 August 2011
Venue: Snow Farm
Location: Pisa Mountain Range – 35 Km from Wanaka/ 55 km from Queenstown
Country: New Zealand

2011 MLK Ski Weekend

Editor — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 09:53:35 +0000

Over 1000 participants from around the world come to this massive ski weekend. The 2011 schedule includes abundant skiing, a mix and mingle, speed dating, The Old School Music Party, Snowflake Happy Hour, contest, a comedy show, celebrity DJ, more parties, snow mobiling, tubing, cross country skiing, spa and more.

Date: 14 to 17 January 2011
Venue: Boyne Mountain Ski Resort
City: Boyne Falls
State: Michigan
Country: United States of America

Asia

Editor — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:17:06 +0000

Enjoy a snow skiing adventure at top ski resorts in Asia. Whether you’re an avid snowboarder, a keen skier or enjoy a variety of snow sporting excursions, Asian destinations such as Japan and South Korea offer fantastic ski resort options.

Amongst the world-class ski resorts in Japan are Appi Kogen, Happo One, Nozawa Onsen and Shiga Kogen. Each of these Japanese ski resorts offers spectacular scenery and various facilities, such as modern lifts, hot springs, fine accommodation, equipment stores, restaurants, and more. Visitors to these ski resorts will discover a variety of snow-covered terrain, affording them opportunities for downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, snowshoeing and other snow sport activities.

Skiers heading to South Korea will be pleasantly surprised with the facilities here. Many resorts can be easily reached from Seoul and offer exceptional skiing and snowboarding. Be sure not to miss Yong Pyong Ski Resort and the Alps Resort in South Korea.

Resorts by Location:

Heart Warming Hospitality on a Freezing Snow Skiing Vacation

Baqueira Beret Ski Resort

Editor — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:05:20 +0000

When looking for skiing resorts in Spain, there is one resort that stands out: the Baqueira Beret Ski Resort. As the largest of its kind in Spain, the Baqueira Beret Resort offers visitors picturesque landscapes blanketed in snow and a variety of activities that all skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts can enjoy no matter what their skill level is. Located in the idyllic Aran Valley, the resort is able to combine spectacular winter activities with breathtaking natural scenes and world class facilities.

Baqueira Beret Ski Resort is known for its great snow and is even frequented by the Spanish Royal Family. Since being established sixty years ago, the resort has grown in size and popularity, primarily because of its secluded location. There has been speculation that the resort will expand even more, but environmental issues have put these plans on hold. The resort also features three hotels that provide guests with ample accommodation. There are bars, cafés, clinics, shops, a hairdresser, ice rink, cash points and a very lively night life. Guests will be able to relax and be pampered with on site massages and saunas, while swimming enthusiasts can make use of the heated swimming pool. First time skiers can book lessons with professional ski instructors at the ski schools, as the resort has a variety of trails for all to enjoy.

The various ski trails are divided into greens, blues, reds and blacks. This enables skiers and snowboarders to choose the correct slope according to their expertise. Seven kilometers of the 117 pistes has been set aside for cross country skiing. The highest peak of the ski area lies at 2 510 meters, with the minimum height being 1 500. Baqueira Beret Ski Resort also offers guests the opportunity to participate in numerous other winter activities, including para-skiing, snow racket walking and even dog-sled adventures, to name a few. The area surrounding the Baqueira Beret Ski Resort has many attractions for those taking a break from the slopes, such as sports halls, thermal baths, churches, museums, campsites, an ice palace and shopping centers. Staying at this magnificent ski resort is an unforgettable experience, as it has beauty, fun and superb facilities for the entire family to benefit from.