Empire State Winter Games announces new sports, venues for 2017
MALONE — Empire State Winter Games officials announced the addition of marathon skating, youth ski racing, broomball and barrel jumping to this year’s event on Wednesday at a press conference.
The 37th edition of the ESWG will take place Feb. 2-5 at locations throughout the Adirondacks and the North Country.
For the 2017 event, ESWG officials expect an increase in audience and excitement, as well as more participants in all sports — from the classics, such as figure skating, to the more cutting-edge big air and snow bike competitions.
New sports added this year include a marathon skate on Mirror Lake in Lake Placid, three winter bike events at Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington, an expansion in ski racing to include the 12- and 10-and-under age groups at Mount Pisgah, and broomball at the Malone Civic Center.
“The games now give us the opportunity to feature sporting venues and outdoor recreation areas throughout the North Country,” Malone Mayor Joe Riccio said. “Last year, the games came to Titus Mountain, and this year they also move into the village of Malone’s Civic Center where we are proud to host the broom ball event in this one-of-a-kind community-supported sporting competition.”
Cash prizes, introduced in 2016, will increase 33 percent for the 2017 games. Athletes participating in marathon skate, ski and snowboard freestyle, winter bike, and broom ball will compete for a total of $16,000 in cash, plus additional prizes in other sports are to be determined.
Festivities begin with the opening ceremony, which will be held on Feb. 2 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Herb Brooks 1980 Arena in Lake Placid, and is open to the public. The presentation will include a parkour exhibition, barrel jumping with fire and fat tire trials bike exhibitions.
A festival in Mid’s Park will highlight the marathon skate event, with live music and activities for the entire family. The marathon skate includes a 26.2-mile speed skating race recognized by the Marathon Skate International organization as well as a shorter, one-loop race for novices and a 500 meter kids race.
“The event is outperforming expectations on all counts,” said Tait Wardlaw, ESWG executive director. “Overall growth in scope and scale will result in an increase in entrants from the total of 1,886 in 2016 to a number far higher than our original projection of 2,000. We think we could see as many as 2,300 participants.”
“The Games now span across an even greater geographic area, and represent a projected $2.9 million dollars in direct economic impact,” said Senator Betty Little. “The continued growth of the Games is a credit to the North Country’s commitment and capacity to host the largest annual winter multi-sports competition in North America.”
The 2017 Empire State Winter Games are supported by title sponsor Community Bank, N.A.
For more information about the Empire State Winter Games, visit empirestatewintergames.com