Photos: Three days of snow-covered daring and delight
The Empire State Winter Games lasted from Feb. 6 to 9 and featured athletes from across the state in Olympic events in a region that has twice hosted the international games. A north country tradition, the Saranac Winter Carnival, coincided with the Games and was celebrated this year with a Celtic Carnival theme.
The Enterprise –– Michael Koff
Like a flying squirrel: Landon Livreri, of Lake Placid, soars with his skis in a V pattern to help him aerodynamically push through the air to go further during one of his two jumps during the Under-13 division at the Empire State Games last weekend. Livreri won Gold with a score of 216.2 and jumped 47-and-a-half meters.
The Enterprise –– Michael Koff
In anticipation: Lake Placid resident Matt White sits on the ski lift that will take him to the 48-meter hill for his ski-jumping competition at the Empire State Games last weekend in Lake Placid. White finished with a Silver medal in the Under-13 division with a score of 183.9 points and his furthest jump was 43-and-a-half meters.
The Enterprise — Jordan J. Michael
Spraying snow as he comes to a stop at the bottom of the Alpine Super G course at Whiteface Mountain is Jeffrey Swagler, who finished in 14th place with a time of 57.65 during competition for the Empire State Winter Games.
The Enterprise — Marcello Iaia
Winter Carnival: Saranac Lakers and carnival-goers pose next to ice sculptures and admire the translucent walls of the traditional ice castle colored by orange, green, and blue lights shining through the frozen blocks. The bright eyes of a tall ice dragon shine down on awed children Friday night. The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival lasted from Jan. 31 to Feb. 9, coinciding with the Empire State Games, which spread events among surrounding towns, including Dewey Mountain Recreational Center just outside of downtown Saranac Lake.
The Enterprise — Marcello Iaia
Cold castle: Ice blocks with snow mortar were stacked high and lit in the night for Saranac Lake’s 2014 Winter Carnival, which had a Celtic theme. The towers of the ice castle were complete with crenellation, and a frigid maze was open in its rear.
The Enterprise — Marcello Iaia
Bathed in dim light of a winter moon high above, the clock tower of the Harrietstown Old Town Hall glows at 7:30 p.m. The sounds of tuning banjos and a clarinetist warming up through scales shot through the din of a settling crowd, packing nearly every seat in the large auditorium for a Rotary Club Variety Show on Feb. 7. The royal party of the winter carnival enjoyed the spectacle from the front row.
The Enterprise — Jordan J. Michael
Glider: Ben Harris, of Slingerlands, competes in a long-track speed-skating race during the Empire State Winter Games last Saturday on the outside oval in downtown Lake Placid. Harris finished fourth in both the 1,000-meter and the 1,500-meter races, but was disqualified from the 500-meter event. He also raced in short-track speed skating inside the 1932 rink, finishing fourth in the 1,000-meter, fifth in the 500-meter, and sixth in the 1,500-meter.
The Enterprise — Jordan J. Michael
Carrying the puck is a player from the Rye Rangers during a game against Rouses Point on Saturday in Lake Placid. Rye won, 7 to 1.
The Enterprise — Jordan J. Michael
Thirsty? Nine- and 10-year-old kids competed in the first-ever Squirt hockey tournament at the Empire State Winter Games last weekend. Here, a player from the Rye Rangers takes a drink of water through his mask after coming off the ice.
The Enterprise — Jordan J. Michael
Golden eagle: The Empire State Winter Games hosted its first-ever Squirt hockey tournament this year; eight teams from around the state competed. A huge trophy, originally crafted by artist Artie Torrance in the 1950s, went to the winning team of the tournament, which was played at Lake Placid’s USA rink.