THE End of Season Ski Races at the Ski Club of Ireland Kilternan were even more special this year.
And that’s because some of the competing athletes have just returned from the Special Olympics, held this year in Schladming Austria, from March 14 to 25.
The Ski Club of Ireland hosts a ski club called The Kilternan Karvers and every Tuesday, right throughout the season, from October through to April, a group of voluntary instructors teach people with both intellectual and physical disabilities.
Eddie and Kathleen Sythes set up the Kilternan Karvers, and with their team of ski instructors, they have taught several athletes to ski, some of whom have participated in Special Olympics Winter World Games over the years including Alaska, Japan, Idaho USA and in Austria in 2017.
The Special Olympics World Games and recent End of Season Races focused on the skiers and there were some tears of joy as they celebrated a wonderful day with the help and great food provided by the various parents and guardians attending.
One of those who was celebrating was Warren Tate, who won two gold medals.
Warren learnt to ski in Kilternan and now, at 30, he has been skiing since he was 13.
Warren also presents a programme on Dublin South 93.9FM Community Radio.
Fiona Bryson, who is now 34, has been skiing for 15 years and also learned in Kilternan.
Shannon Brooker, who is 16, has also taken to skiing and is brought up every Tuesday by her school.
Team Ireland was represented at the recent World Games by athletes including Naoise Kenny and Niall Flynn, who got Medals of Commendation. They also did very well in their End of Season Games.
Lorraine Whelan, from the Ski Club of Ireland is 36 and hails from Delgany.
Her parents, Brendan and Marie Whelan, also work tirelessly as volunteers at the Ski Club of Ireland.
Lorraine has represented Ireland before at three other World Games – Alaska in 2001, Nagano, Japan in 2005 and Idaho, USA in 2009.
Lorraine won a gold medal and a silver at the Special Olympics World Games in Schladming Austria.
A huge crowd of Irish supporters and skiers watched her ski to victory and later, as she accepted her medals, she went on stage with Kathleen Sythes, one of her long-term coaches.
Lorraine has been skiing for 20 years.