Bristol Special Olympians Excel at Connecticut Winter Games

This blog post recaps Bristol’s Special Olympics team at the Connecticut Winter Games. It highlights cross-country skiing in Windsor and downhill racing at Powder Ridge in Middlefield, plus the athletes’ medals, ceremonies, and the outpouring of support from fans and towns across Connecticut.

Bristol’s Team in Action Across Two CT Venues

The Connecticut Winter Games drew athletes from Bristol and all over the state. Cross-country events took place at Eversource in Windsor, while Powder Ridge in Middlefield hosted the downhill races.

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Eleven Bristol athletes lined up for cross-country skiing, taking on 50m, 100m, and relay events. Three first-year competitors jumped in and really impressed the crowd with their confidence and speed.

Bristol fans, along with friends from IDEX waving a big cheering sign, brought so much energy to the crowd. DJ G. kicked off the ceremonies with the Athletes’ Oath, and both he and Angie H. shared thoughts with local media, showing just how much the community cares about these athletes.

After Saturday’s competitions, everyone gathered for dinner and dancing—a real highlight. Dunkin’ stops on both days kept everyone’s spirits up and fueled the fun.

Cross-Country Highlights

Eleven Bristol athletes hit the cross-country courses, racing sprints and relays. Their teamwork and determination stood out all weekend.

Wendy A. — two silver medals
Anthony A. — gold and bronze
Adley B. — gold in his first event

Downhill Highlights

On the Powder Ridge slopes, Bristol’s downhill skiers showed off their speed and technique. Local supporters cheered them on from the sidelines.

Jordan L. — two golds
Will G. — gold and silver

Friends from IDEX kept the energy high with their cheering sign. Bristol’s athletes and their supporters drew attention from all over Connecticut, a reminder of how tight-knit the Special Olympics community is here.

The event brought together towns like Windsor and Middlefield. Families from Hartford, New Haven, Danbury, Waterbury, Norwalk, Manchester, Southington, and more came to watch and celebrate.

Ceremonies, Celebrations, and Statewide Recognition

Saturday’s ceremonies had athletes taking the Athletes’ Oath. Interviews with competitors shined a light on their dedication and progress.

After the events, a dinner and dance let everyone relax and enjoy each other’s company. Bristol’s athletes and coaches made some great memories that’ll last a long time.

Coaches Charlene Luzefski and Tim Petit wrapped up the season with a pizza party. They honored longtime coaches Brian Madden and Robi-Lyn Harnois for years of dedication. Moments like these show how teamwork and mentorship really help athletes grow on the slopes and trails.

USA Games Nominations and All-Star Honors

Five Bristol athletes landed nominations for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. That’s a big deal—it shows the program keeps growing and opening new doors.

DJ G. (track and field) and Ryan C. (bowling) are officially heading to the Games. Jordan L., Brian D., and Peter L. finished the nomination process and got recognized for their commitment, which is no small feat.

All-Star Athlete awards went out too. Will G. got a nod for his positive teamwork, while Kyle P. was honored for putting in the sweat to keep equipment in shape and ski tracks ready to go.

Communities across Connecticut—Bristol, Windsor, Middlefield, Manchester, Danbury, Waterbury, New Haven, Hartford, Norwalk, Southington, and honestly, plenty more—showed up to cheer these athletes on. There’s something special about how towns, big or small, come together for their own.

Here is the source article for this story: Bristol Special Olympians excel in the CT Winter Games

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