SARANAC LAKE — The 45th Empire State Winter Games kicked off today with the arrival of the torch and a lively opening ceremony at the Olympic Center. This exciting event brings together over 2,500 athletes from New York, the Northeastern U.S., and Canada, ready to compete in 24 different winter sports, including several adaptive sports.
The opening ceremony took place tonight at 6:20 p.m. at the Herb Brooks Arena. Everyone is invited to join for free! This year’s theme is “Chasing Dreams on Snow and Ice,” highlighting the passion and aspirations of these athletes.
Jon Lundin, the communications director for the Winter Games, shared, “Athletes are chasing dreams. Whether this event is the highlight of their achievements or just a stepping stone to something even bigger, it’s all about the journey.”
The torch relay began its 700-mile journey on January 22 in Utica and will end with three relays in the Tri-Lakes area today. It started at 10 a.m. with Tupper Lake High School athletes carrying the torch from the Tupper Lake Civic Center to the Community Bank branch.
Later in the afternoon, at 2 p.m., cross country and track athletes from Saranac Lake High School will carry the torch to their local Community Bank. Youth hockey players in Lake Placid will finish the day by carrying it to the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort at 3 p.m.
This weekend’s events will be held at various venues including Mount Van Hoevenberg, Whiteface Mountain, and Paul Smith’s College. New this year is curling, which will take place at the Utica Curling Club in Whitesboro.
Sports featured in the games include junior and adaptive bobsled, alpine skiing, hockey (multiple age groups), sled hockey, cross-country, figure skating, freestyle moguls, biathlon, luge, snowshoeing, and more. Excitingly, winter triathlon and winter biking were introduced last year, combining snowshoeing, biking, and cross-country skiing.
Lundin expressed excitement about these new events. “They went really well last year, and we want to introduce more engaging sports for all ages. Tupper Lake is a fantastic venue for encouraging participation,” he said.
Unfortunately, ski jumping and Nordic combined will not be part of the games this year, as the Olympic Jumping Complex prepares for the upcoming FIS Ski Jumping World Cup. However, Lundin hopes these events will return in the future.
He emphasized the significance of the Empire State Winter Games, calling it a legacy event for Lake Placid and the North Country. “It’s a wonderful way to celebrate sports and winter,” he said.
As the games progress, the thrill of competition and the spirit of camaraderie will shine through, making this year’s event memorable for everyone involved.
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