The Special Olympics New Jersey winter sports season finished up with Winter Games in Vernon, Stockholm, and West Orange, NJ. Check out the first half of 2020 Winter Games at the beginning of January in Stockholm, NJ. 

2020 Winter Games Recap – Floor Hockey & Volleyball

More than 340 athletes took to the snow and ice February 2-4 for the annual Special Olympics (SONJ) Winter Games. Spring-like weather for much of the 3-day event kept the spirits high and competition fierce for the athletes, coaches, families, and volunteers in attendance. 

Starting on Sunday, February 2nd, 74 figure skaters laced up their skates at Codey Arena in West Orange, NJ. Incredible skills and passionate routines were on display, not to mention the creative and unique costumes stealing the show. 

Competition on the snow started up on Monday morning and into the afternoon. Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon, NJ was home to alpine skiing and snowboarding, while the National Winter Activity Center (NWAC) in Vernon was host to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. For over 40 years, Mountain Creek has hosted the Winter Games for SONJ, and the NWAC has hosted cross-country skiing and snowshoeing for the 2nd year. 

Monday night, the mountain base featured the much-anticipated Opening Ceremony. Athletes gracefully skied down the slopes to deliver the torch and light the iconic cauldron where fellow athletes, coaches, families, and volunteers patiently awaited their arrival. An energetic firework show followed the Opening Ceremony festivities, and then athletes were invited to an exclusive dance party in the Red Tail Lodge for a night to celebrate their successes and prepare for their next day of competition. 

Competition continued early Tuesday morning at Mountain Creek and the NWAC, as well as speed skating taking place at Skylands Ice World in Stockholm, NJ. 28 speed skaters felt the need… the need for speed on the ice as they concluded the winter sports season. 

Thank you to the venues hosting our competitions, all the dedicated volunteers, and this year’s Winter Games sponsor: Delta Dental

Results

Photos

Winter Games Recap

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