LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — A scenic upstate New York hamlet is getting a bit crowded as athletes and fans converge on Lake Placid for the world championship of outdoor sports.
Visitors to the ESPN Great Outdoor Games venues this week will bump elbows with ESPY nominees, Olympic medallists and contenders, world record holders and celebrity guests who are gathering to witness the third annual international celebration of fishing, sporting dog events, and timber and target sports.
For those observers and the television audience that will watch the Games on ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC Sports July 20-23, some of the best stories aren't just about winning and losing:
International flavor:
Great Outdoor Games athletes represent 39 states and five countries: Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, New Zealand and the United States.
Family-tie Games:
Brothers Brian and Sean Duffy and their niece, Taylor Duffy, are young, fit and ready to race for victories in the boom run, speed climb and log roll. Brian is the 2001 silver medallist in log rolling and boom run, and Sean, a speed-climbing competitor is an alumnus of MTV's "The Real World - Seattle." Taylor will be cheering her uncles on after competing in the women's boom run at Mirror Lake in Lake Placid, N.Y.
Double-doubles:
Twenty-seven athletes at the 2002 ESPN Great Outdoor Games will be competing in two or more disciplines.
Only two of the double-double competitors are women: Shana Martin, of Madison, Wis. And Elizabeth Hoeschler, of Lacrosse, Wis., will face off twice in the women's log rolling and boom run events.
Only one non-timber-sports competitor will be trying a double-double: 2001 rifle competition silver medallist Doug Koenig of Albertis, Penn. will chase medals in the shotgun and rifle competitions.
All walks of life:
Among the athletes at the games are two bankers from Wyoming, an garage-door repairman from North Carolina, a math teacher, the owner of a Texas water park, a Volvo car dealership owner, an oceanographer and several college students.
Doctor recommended:
Two veterinarians — Dr. Phyllis Giroux, from Goldvien, Va. and Dr. Jean Lavalley from Murfreesboro, Tenn. — will be handling their dogs at this year's ESPN Great Outdoor Games in retrieving and agility events.
Learn something:
Birds of prey: Eagles, falcons, hawks and owls will be at the Olympic Oval every day demonstrating flight and retrieve.
Log roll: Where else can you learn to log roll and watch the world's best compete in the same sport? With an interactive log-rolling tank on site, spectators can learn how to stay afloat when running on a log.
Fly tie: Some of the world's foremost experts on fly fishing and fly tying will be on site to give demonstrations at the Oval all weekend.
Learn to shoot: The National Shooting Sports Foundation will be holding a safe-use practicum from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Sunday, July 14 at the Lake Placid Club Resort.
Musical entertainment:
After the Great Outdoor Games end Sunday night, you can see country music star Travis Tritt perform at the Olympic Center. Tickets: www.orda.org
From fakies to fishing?
World-renowned X-Games snowboarder Kevin Jones of Truckee, Calif. is also a competitor in the fly-fishing competition. Can he hang with the anglers?
Gearing up:
From dogs chasing a ball to timber athletes wielding alcohol-powered modified saws, the Great Outdoor Games are a study of contrasts in sport and the gear needed to compete. Athletic equipment ranges from a favorite pair of running shoes to thousands of dollars of fishing tackle and illustrates the democratic nature of outdoor sport.
Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories