Registration Now Open For 2009 Bay State Winter Games
Celebrating 24 years of athletic competition in Northern Berkshire CountyWOBURN, MA – Registration for the 2009 Bay State Winter Games is now open, as the annual Olympic-style amateur sporting event celebrates its 24th year in Northern Berkshire County. From Friday, Feb. 6 to Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, individual competitions in Alpine Skiing and Figure Skating, and team competition in Masters Ice Hockey will take place.
Since its inception, the Berkshires have played host for all events in the Bay State Winter Games. Athletes participating in the Winter Games represent over 200 Massachusetts communities, and range in age from 8 to 60 plus.
“The Northern Berkshires have become a second home of the Bay State Games,” said Kevin Cummings, the organization’s executive director. “Each of the previous 23 Winter Games has been held in the Berkshires and we are very appreciative of the support that we receive from area citizens and businesses. We are looking forward to another great year!”
The 2009 Figure Skating competition will take place at the Lansing Chapman Rink on the campus of Williams College in Williamstown, MA, and features both ISI and UFSF competition for males and females. In order to allow more athletes to participate in the USFS portion of the competition, the Bay State Games will be including both restricted and unrestricted events in most levels this year. Masters Ice Hockey will be played in two divisions, 40 plus and 50 plus, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Skating Arena in North Adams, MA. For the first time, Alpine Skiing has added Open and Masters divisions for athletes 19-35, and 36 and older, respectively. In addition, a Scholastic division is open to participants in grades 9 through 12 as of the 2008-2009 academic year.
On Saturday, February 7 at 7:30pm, the Bay State Skate Show will take place at the Lansing Chapman Rink at Williams College. The show will feature Bay State Games Gold Medal winners, regional figure skating champions, and a special feature skater. Tickets for the event are $10 and can be purchased at local Berkshire businesses or by contacting the Bay State Games. All other skating competitions are free of charge for spectators.
For more information regarding the Bay State Winter Games including schedule of events, how to become a volunteer, and to register, please visit www.baystategames.org, or call the Bay State Games’ office at (781) 932-6555.
