TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Wednesday kicked off the 44th Special Olympics State Winter Games, and athletes from more than 60 counties across Michigan are taking part.
Over 800 Special Olympics athletes flooded Grand Traverse Resort and Spa to show off their skills in competitions like alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, figure skating and speed skating.
An additional 900 coaches, chaperones and volunteers and helping to put on the event that runs through Friday afternoon.
Wednesday at the Games' Opening Ceremony, the Games' presenting partner, Wertz Warriors, presented a check for $300,000.
The Wertz Warriors is a group of snowmobile enthusiasts founded by former Detroit Tigers great Vic Wertz that raises money to help offset the cost of the State Winter Games. Since 1982, the group has raised more than $11.2 million for Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI).
During the ceremony, SOMI athlete Curtis Castle from Allendale was named the the Rick VanderSloot Winter Sports Award Winner. Castle has been competing for more than a dozen years in six sports, including cross country skiing.
Winter Games competition continues on Thursday from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Schuss Mountain, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, and Howe Ice Arena. Complete event schedules can be found here.
More on 13 ON YOUR SIDE:
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.