Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) Expands Winter Sports

BOISE, Idaho, Jan. 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Continuing to build the adaptive sports community, the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) has announced a new lineup of winter sports opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities. bottom. This winter, CAF-Idaho offers several coached clinics and camps in sled hockey, Nordic skiing, downhill skiing and snowboarding designed for all levels of ability. From weekend training for athletes who have never competed to elite racing events, the comprehensive program expands the continuum from sport entry to elite competition while strengthening the Paralympic pathway and the adaptive sport community. designed to create

As a leader in the growth of adaptive winter sports and a partner of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, CAF supports a wide range of grants for adaptive equipment, training, travel and competition expenses.

“CAF has completely rewritten the adaptive winter sports book,” says Wilson Dippo, CAF Program Manager and Para-Nordic Team Coach. “In addition to the tens of thousands of dollars awarded to support winter sports through individual grants, CAF has established dozens of camps to support downhill skiers, sled hockey players, Para-Nordic skiers and biathletes. and clinics, which support athletes from their first experience on snow and ice to the highest level of sport.”

Today, more than 21 million Americans have a physical disability, many of whom are eligible to compete in Paralympic sports. However, the high cost and lack of resources for adaptive sports equipment can be a barrier to entry for individuals with physical problems to stay active. We are focused on supporting athletes with physical challenges with our equipment and support community.

Winter event schedule:

Boise Winter Sports Weekend – Boise, Idaho

January 20-22, 2023

CAF Idaho hosts the first-ever Boise Winter Sports Weekend, offering introductions and clinic opportunities for sled hockey, Nordic skiing, and downhill skiing. Special guidance will be provided by For downhill skiing, CAF has partnered with one of the leading adaptive ski organizations, BASE (Boise Adaptive Snowsport Education).

Boulder Mountain Tour – Ketchum, Idaho

February 1-4, 2023

The country’s top Nordic skiers travel to Ketchum, Idaho to showcase their abilities at the 50th annual competition.^th anniversary Boulder Mountain TourTo build a field of participating athletes, CAF funded over 30 individual travel grants, providing a combined $2,000 in grants for a total prize pool of over $4,000. Top US Para-Nordic athletes such as Oksana Masters, Kendall Gretsch, Aaron Pike and Josh Sweeney compete on 15k or 32k point-to-point race courses. In addition to high-level competition for elite athletes, a small number of novice skiers attend training camps in preparation for the race. A few surprise grants are presented to take athletes to the next level in sit skiing. CAF helped bring together the largest field of adaptive Nordic skiers in the history of the event, raising the bar for adaptive skiing.

U.S. Para-Nordic Youth Development Camp – Park City, Utah

February 25-March 2, 2023

CAF Idaho and the US Paralympic Nordic Team of Park City, Utah will host a performance training camp in Park City for athletes who have expressed an interest in high-level Para-Nordic skiing. This camp will focus on building the technique and skills of young skiers with the opportunity to experience biathlon. The group travels to Soldier Hollow (the venue of the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Games) to watch the Para-Nordic World Cup final and take part in a rookie race event on the same course as the world’s best.

US Para-Nordic World Cup – Solidar Hollow, Utah

March 1-8, 2023

For the first time since the 2002 Paralympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, the 2023 Para Nordic World Cup will be held at the Solder Hollow Nordic Center. He has over 180 athletes from 20 countries competing for a $30,000 prize on an all-new sit ski course and updated biathlon shooting range. As an event sponsor, CAF funds international athletes from his 20 countries to help build the field.

CAF-Idaho Day When Kathryn Albertson family Foundation (JKAF). With a firm commitment to growing the adaptive sports movement, JKAF is building the Idaho Outdoor Fieldhouse in Boise. The vision of the Idaho Outdoor Fieldhouse is to provide opportunities for the pursuit of well-being through outdoor activities and athletics, a collaborative effort that strengthens diverse communities by supporting health, education, employment, and engagement in uniquely stimulating environments. It’s about creating experiences.

Media Assets: Media Images

About the Challenged Athlete Foundation

The Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) is a global leader in helping people with physical challenges lead active, healthy lifestyles. CAF believes that participation in physical activity at all levels increases self-esteem, promotes independence and improves quality of life. Since 1994, more than $147 million has been raised, fulfilling her more than 40,000 funding requests from people with disabilities in all 50 states and her 70+ countries. Additionally, CAF’s outreach efforts reach an additional 60,000 people each year. Whether it’s helping her take on her $2,500 grant to handcycle, carbon fiber running not covered by insurance, or arranging passionate encouragement from mentors who have overcome similar challenges, CAF mission is clear. For an active and athletic lifestyle. For more information, visit challengedathletes.org or call 858-866-0959.

# # # #