CONTACT: Meri-Jo Borzilleri, Empire State Winter Games Communications & Media, (merijo@lakeplacid2023.com) Tel: 719-337-7987
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PHOTOS: See ESWGPhotos.com
February 4, 2023
WILMINGTON, N.Y. – Stratton Mountain School skiers won two medals in the moguls competition at the 43rd Empire State Winter Games at Whiteface Mountain, withstanding windy, below-zero temperatures that reduced the competition to one run from two and prompted a one-hour delay at the start.
Temperatures at the 11:30 a.m. race start were minus-9 degrees and wind chill of minus-33. Stratton Mountain’s Juniper Bowman, 13, took gold in the girls division with 74.12 points, outpacing Oliveah Reiszel of Willard Mountain, who won silver with 69.76 points. Killington Mountain School’s Ryan Cunningham earned bronze, posting 67.09 points, in the 20-skier field.
For the boys, Russell Copeland, 13, of Burke Mountain won gold, topping a field of 45 competitors with a score of 71.48, edging Stratton’s Reed Garber, 13, who was second with 70.91 points. Hunter Mountain’s Philip Myhre, also 13, won bronze with 69.74 points.
Moguls are scored on time to complete the 170-meter course combined with points from two jumps on the run. Judges weigh degree of difficulty and air attained. Bowman’s run was the fastest of her competition at 22.19 seconds, and she also had the highest jump scores.
Garber had the fastest ski time in 19.91 seconds, but Copeland had the highest jump score by more than four points, moving him to the top spot.
The ESWG, sponsored by Community Bank, N.A., is the largest multi-winter amateur sports event in the United States. From Friday Feb. 3-Sunday, Feb. 5, close to 2,200 athletes are scheduled to compete in 23 winter sports in Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Wilmington, Tupper Lake and Paul Smiths.
For more information, including sport schedule and results, visit empirestatewintergames.com. For photos of the Opening Ceremony and events, see ESWGPhotos.com. You do not have to be a resident of New York State to participate in the Empire State Games, and most sports are open to all levels.
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