WINDHAM, N.Y. – The Adaptive Sports Foundation’s (ASF) 40th winter of teaching adaptive ski and snowboard lessons and providing life-changing experiences out on the slopes has come to an end with its annual Ralph Hartman Tribute Cup and Dinner Dance on Saturday, March 9.
The Ralph Hartman Tribute Cup is a fun race down Windham Mountain’s “White Way”, and is open for all ASF participants who have taken either seasonal or daily lessons with the organization. It’s a celebration of the accomplishments and the athletic abilities of all the ASF’s adaptive athletes.
The day began at 9 a.m., when all the participants went through a typical two-hour morning lesson. Then the racers came into the Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center for an hour lunch before the 12:30 p.m. race. The festivities began with a beautiful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner, performed by ASF student and Hartman racer Anna Lazare. The traditional parade of flags followed her performance, which is a magnificent sight that features members of the ASF Race Team and Sliders ski down the racecourse proudly carrying the flags of different nations as well as an Adaptive Sports Foundation flag.
When the first racer, Farryl Fishman, crossed the starting gate and began her descent down the slope, the fun began. In total, 33 adaptive athletes took two runs down the course while family, friends and spectators cheered them on from the finish line.
Highlights of the race included Fishman independently making it down the course in her two attempts with outriggers, ASF Race Team members Mark Huang and Tess Sheridan zooming down the slope in less than 25 seconds each and Jeffrey Resnick sliding into the finish area to end the fun race.
The full results of the Ralph Hartman Tribute Cup fun race can be found at www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org.
After the race concluded, the racers and their fans were welcomed back into the Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center to listen to speeches, take part in raffles and of course, receive their awards. Ralph’s wife Barbara, and his children Brian and Pam each spoke and captivated those in attendance with old stories from when Ralph was a volunteer with the ASF.
The awards ceremony began when the race awards were given to those who finished on the podium in their respective classes. Then the ASF gave out special season-long awards. The first award went to Windham Mountain Club General Manager Chip Seamans, who earned the ASF Volunteer Committee Impact Award. This award, which is new this season, is given to an individual who has made a significant impact on the Adaptive Sports Foundation through advocacy, community engagement and support of the ASF’s mission to empower lives through adaptive sports.
Another new award this season was the Gwen’s Numerical Assessment of Adaptive Radness (G.N.A.A.R.) Champion, which was presented to Benjamin Streck. This award, the ASF’s own version of the ski industry’s famous Gaffney’s Numerical Assessment of Radness (G.N.A.R.) game and named for ASF founder Gwen Allard, is given to the volunteer who accumulated the most G.N.A.A.R. points on the season. The ASF Volunteer Rookie of the Year Awards were presented to Rose Lindstrom and Nora Muratori for their impressive performance in their first year with the foundation. The Ralph Hartman Volunteer of the Year awards were given to Peter Colquitt and Sandy Desmond, for their exemplary teaching and commitment to their students all season long. The final volunteer award given, the All-Seasons Award, was presented to Mary Bozzone. Bozzone made significant contributions to not only the winter season with her work with the ASF Race Team and her future instructor program, but also during the summer programs the ASF hosts.
Two students earned special awards as well for the ASF’s 40th-anniversary season. ASF Slider Jayden Weinberg earned the Stu Smith “Magic Man” Award, which is presented to the student who best exemplifies enthusiasm, good cheer and love of snow sports. Mono-skier Harry Houng-Lee was presented the Robert “Buff” Donnelly Award, which is awarded to the student who shows exceptional courage, determination and a love for life.
Later that night, the ASF hosted the Ralph Hartman Tribute Cup Dinner Dance at Seasons at the Windham Mountain Club. The 150-guest party featured a DJ, dancing, food and fun. The theme of the evening was comic book hero, and many of the guests dressed like their favorite superhero, an appropriate way to acknowledge and celebrate the ASF’s super skiers and snowboarders.