Two Williamson County athletes and one local coach can't wait to hit the slopes as they compete with others from all over the world beginning next Sunday. Snowboarder Byron Pewitt of Franklin, alpine skier Christina Statum of Brentwood and snowboard coach Orson Bell of Franklin hope to bring home a few gold medals. How the Tennessee athletes will compete against those from the chilly climates of Norway and the Netherlands shows the creativity of the coaches and the tenacity of the Special Olympians. Both athletes are a common sight on the ski slopes of Gatlinburg near the Smoky Mountains. Initial training for Special Olympics Tennessee happens at Rolf Lanz Ski School where a four-hour class introduces skiers to the safety concerns and responsibilities of skiing.
Instructors donate their time and equipment.
The competitors Statum began standing on skis during a family ski vacation when she was 6. No one ever thought she would be able to ski because the nature of her disability. There is not a lot of strength in her leg muscles. And she never complains about being too cold. I pretty much just like competing because it's fun,'' she said.