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When police officers from around the world squared off on the slopes at Snowmass, Colorado, March 3 through 7, 2014, some brought home gold, silver, and bronze; yet, the real winners were the athletes of the winter sports programs of Special Olympics.   

 

In the twenty-fifth annual running of the North American Police Ski/Snowboard Championships (NAPSC), nearly 100 police racers from around the globe competed in the Slalom, Giant Slalom and “Super G” for downhill supremacy.  Skiing and snowboarding police officers of all ability levels competed on the hill, but the greatest achievement was in the form of the successful fund raising of over $29,000 to help aspiring Special Olympics winter athletes achieve their dreams.

 

The North American Police Ski Championships’ primary goal is to promote amateur athletic competition among police officers from all over the world.  During the week, officers and their families enjoy racing and social events in the spirit of camaraderie and charity.  These police officers have chosen to take this event as an opportunity to support others who enjoy winter sports as much as they do.  Many of the racing officers, who came from all corners of the United States and as far away as Canada, Great Britain and Austria, brought the fruits of their individual teams’ fund raising efforts to the event.  Ski Racers from the Coral Gables, Florida Police Department again stunned the attendees by stepping forward with a $10,000 donation at the closing ceremonies.  The generosity of the officers from Florida is nothing new.  The team actually formed their own organization, “The Coral Gables Police Ski Charities,” to raise funds for worthy causes.  For the eigth year in a row, they have been the top fund raising team of the event.  NAPSC’s 25 years of Competition, Camaraderie and Charity have resulted in nearly $800,000 in support for Special Olympics Athletes.

 

Coral Gables was the definite winner in the fund raising arena, but it was Austria that emerged victorious on the hill with Retired Police Officer Sigi Paar proving to be the fastest cop on skis during the week’s races.  In the one of the event’s most exciting races, the Dual Duel, it was local cop, Brian Olson who bested local colleague Jason Powell.  Both Officers are on the job at Snowmass Village Police Department.

 

Among Los Angeles area law enforcement officers competing in the race were officers from the LAPD, the Beverly Hills Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.  Los Angeles was represented well, with many medals awarded in multiple age and ability divisions.  

 

The North American Police Ski Championships will return to Snowmass, Colorado next year.  With the help and generous support of NAPSC’s sponsors and competitors, the event’s organizers hope to continue raising funds to keep the Special Olympics torch burning brightly.  For sponsorship and donation details, more information can be found at the organization’s website; www.napsc.org