Local New York pooch, Sosa, makes splash into the Games Ranger, a golden retriever, goes long during the Big Air qualifying competition. LAKE PLACID, NY — Nick Fiaco and his dog, Sosa, a 2-year-old chocolate Lab from Saranac Lake, N.Y., won the ESPN Great Outdoor Games local dog qualifying event held June 3 at Mirror Lake. By taking first place with a jump of 19 feet 6 inches, Sosa and Fiaco became eligible for a spot to compete in the Big Air dog competition at the Games, July 12-15, 2001, in Lake Placid. Sosa, who was competing in his first amateur event, won the contest with a jump of 11 inches more than his closest competitor. Sosa's jump shocked his owner and impressed the over 100 spectators in attendance at Mirror Lake. "We have been practicing for over a year now but, I did not know how Sosa was going to do in front of the crowd," Fiaco said. "Now we just have to wait and see how well he will do at the Great Outdoor Games in July." Organizers are pleased with the response from those in attendance at the event. Big Air Trial Results Rank Dog Handler Distance 1. Sosa Nick Fiaco 19.06 ft. 2. Jerry Mike Wallace 18.06 ft. 3. Tyler Keith Simpsma 16.06 ft. "We were delighted with the fantastic response the community had towards this event," said Cadence Harkins, the Games' manager of Sports and Competition. "This was a great opportunity for the people in the Adirondack region to see how exciting our events can be." The ESPN Great Outdoor Games, presented by Jeep, returns to Lake Placid after the inaugural event held here July 20-23, 2000, drew more than 18,000 spectators to witness some 200 competitors from around the world compete in fishing, timber, target-sports and sporting-dogs events. Results, event descriptions and detailed information for the Great Outdoor Games can be found on this site. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories