Author: Jaynie Ellis

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A local high schooler is a finalist for the first annual Empire State Winter Games Athlete of the Year Award. 

Hunter Goodwin is only a freshman at Saratoga Springs High School, but has already accomplished great things in his sport – ski cross. 

Ski cross, as he describes it, is a mix of alpine and slope skiing. Four skiers start at the same time and compete on a course of rollers, jumps, and bank turns. Hunter’s mother, Nicole Goodwin, describes it as “roller derby on skis.” 

Hunter started skiing around the age of three. His parents introduced it to him, and then put him into the Mountain Adventure program at Gore Mountain. It was after he tried out for the alpine team at West Mountain, that one of his coaches, Matt Lynn, told him about ski cross. 

Hunter now trains through the NYSEF (New York Ski Educational Foundation) Freeride Program at Gore Mountain. When he races, he represents the Adirondack Series of the USASA (United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association). Hunter has already earned three back-to-back gold medals this year in USASA competitions at Gore and Whiteface. In a normal year, without COVID, he would have traveled to places like Vermont and Colorado to compete also. 

The first annual Empire State Winter Games (ESWG) Athlete of the Year Award presented by BlueShield of Northeastern New York is their way of honoring winter sport athletes across New York State, in place of their typical event at the end of January. The qualifications are as follows, according to their website (www.empirestatewintergames.com): an athlete who (a) has participated in the Games before, or 2021 would have been their first year competing, and (b) exemplifies sportsmanship, leadership, community service, academic excellence, and overall, what it means to be an Empire State Winter Games Athlete. Coaches, parents, and peer athletes could submit nominations. One finalist is chosen from each sport by the respective ESWG Sport Coordinator. Finalists then submit a video for ESWG to share on social media, where the community will vote. The athlete with the most likes will win Athlete of the Year, announced on March 9. 

“It was definitely a surprise,” said Hunter, about being nominated and winning the ski cross category. “I have been going to the Empire State Winter Games, this would have been my third year and the first two years I got gold in ski cross. It’s a cool thing knowing that people nominated me for ski cross, and I didn’t realize it would take me to the overall award.”

Hunter has been able to balance skiing and school easily, doing homework during the week and training on the weekends. For him, training consists of practicing his starts, full tucks, and absorption jumps on the course, or wide turns down the mountain. Hunter mainly focuses on skiing, but he also skateboards and trampolines. Despite all his success already, and at such a young age, Hunter has big goals for the future.

“I want to podium at nationals,” said Hunter. “And, my highest goal is to get to the Olympics.”

We wish you good luck Hunter!

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Harness kicked off its 80th season of live harness racing on Monday, March 1. Races will run three days a week, every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, with a first post at noon through the first four months of the season.

The 2021 season will feature a full slate of New York Sire Stakes action, along with new betting options. In addition to the Pick 5 with a guaranteed pool, Saratoga will be introducing two new bets geared toward building jackpot-type payoffs, the Jackpot Super High Five and the Pick
Six Jackpot. 

Due to state COVID-19 guidelines, no spectators are allowed at the track; however, fans can wager remotely on the races through Saratoga Casino Hotel’s online wagering platform, saratogabets.com, or on any other New York State approved online wagering platform. 

For a complete schedule, or for more information on the raceway’s safety procedures, visit saratogacasino.com. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Varsity Boys’ Ice Hockey Team is having a successful season that they weren’t sure they were going to get in the first place.

The Blue Streaks have 10 regular season games, and their current record is 5-3. This year, the league is split into a North and South Division, with teams playing each other twice within their division. The Blue Streaks are in the North Division, and started their season in the beginning of February. Unlike other winter sports, ice hockey will still have playoff games at the end of the season. The quarterfinals start on March 10 and the finals will be held on March 13. 

The reason behind the different divisional format is that the state allowed high-risk sports to resume, but left the decision up to the counties. The northern counties opened up sooner than southern counties and the Albany region. Therefore, the division split so they could start practicing and playing as soon as possible, just when they had started to lose hope of having a season at all.

“Just getting the season started was a challenge,” said Tim Horst, the Saratoga Springs Varsity Boys’ Ice Hockey Coach. “Once we got into our season, it gave us great perspective on what challenges are – what we can control and what we can’t.” 

The team has great offensive ability and control of the puck. Their team defense is also strong. The four senior captains –Will Detora (forward, #4), Devon Wormley (forward, #10), Andrew Blanchard (forward, #7), Griffin Sarver (defense, #11) – are great leaders and contributors to the success this season. In total, there are 13 seniors on the team, and they are all grateful to be out on the ice.

“It made for allowing us to have a season even better, because those would have been 13 players that wouldn’t have been allowed to play their final season of high school hockey,” said Coach Horst. 

The team has had two identical 3-0 shutout wins so far this season – one against the Mohawks, a combination team of Niskayuna and Schenectady, and the other against Shenendehowa. Coach Horst was able to list several things the team did well to win those games. 

“I think we did a good job of playing team defense and keeping the other team to the outside, not allowing any odd-man rushes or Grade A scoring chances,” said Coach Horst. “Also, our goal tending did a great job of making the first save and not giving up any rebound or second or third opportunities.”

The Saratoga Springs Varsity Boy’s Ice Hockey Team also had a 5-2 win over BHBL/BS (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake/Ballston Spa) on senior night this past Friday, Feb. 26. Senior night was the only game fans (just parents) were allowed at this season. All other games have been, or will be, livestreamed instead on the school district’s YouTube Channel. But that doesn’t compare to actually having their fans in the stands. 

“We have really good fans. Our school and our community supports our team really well,” said Coach Horst. “We miss our fans, and can’t wait for them to come back.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Six racehorses, three trainers, and one jockey account for the 10 finalists that will comprise the National Museum of Racing’s 2021 Hall of Fame ballot, as chosen by the Museum’s Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. 

The finalists are racehorses American Pharoah (first year of eligibility), Blind Luck, Game On Dude, Havre de Grace, Kona Gold, and Rags to Riches; trainers Christophe Clement, Doug O’Neill, and Todd Pletcher (first year of eligibility); and jockey Corey Nakatani. 

Hall of Fame voters may select as many or as few candidates as they believe are worthy of induction to the Hall of Fame. All candidates that receive 50 percent plus one vote (majority approval) from the voting panel will be elected to the Hall of Fame. All of the finalists were required to receive support from two-thirds of the 15-member Nominating Committee to qualify for the ballot. 

Ballots will be mailed to the Hall of Fame voting panel the first week in March. The results of the voting on the contemporary candidates will be announced on Wednesday, May 5. That announcement will also include this year’s selections by the Museum’s Steeplechase Review Committee, which meets once every four years. 

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony — which will honor both the 2020 and 2021 inductees — is tentatively scheduled for Friday, Aug. 6, at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion in Saratoga Springs, at 10:30 a.m. Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many details relating to the induction ceremony are still to be determined. 

To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, trainers must be licensed for 25 years, while jockeys must be licensed for 20 years. Thoroughbreds are required to be retired for five calendar years. All candidates must have been active within the past 25 years. The 20- and 25-year requirements for jockeys and trainers, respectively, may be waived at the discretion of the Museum’s Executive Committee. Candidates not active within the past 25 years are eligible through the Historic Review process.

For more information about the Museum, including special events and program offerings, please call 518-584-0400 or visit our website at www.racingmuseum.org. 

Saratoga Springs — Saratoga Springs students ages 4 to 13-years-old, can now sign up for the Spring 2021 season of Saratoga Springs Little League (SSLL).

Little League games will be played twice a week from late April through early June at West Side Recreation in Saratoga Springs. 

SSLL is also looking for volunteer field assistants, coaches, and managers. No experience necessary. A background check is required.

Registration is open until March 20. Sign up by Feb. 28 and save $10 (offer does not apply to T-ball).

To register your child or to sign-up as a volunteer, go to saratogaspringslittleleague.org

CLIFTON PARK — Congratulations to 11-year-old Leyanna Klotz from Cartwheels gymnastics who placed 1st overall this past weekend at the 2021 Rochester Classic. She placed 1st in both bars, beam and floor. This was her first time competing since February 2020 prior to the shutdown.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has announced the stakes schedule for the 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course. Opening day is Thursday, July 15. Following the four-day opening weekend, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, with the exception of the final week of racing. The final week of racing will conclude on Labor Day, Monday, September 6.

The 40-day meet will feature 76 stakes worth $21.5 million in total purses. The 2021 summer meet, which will offer at least one stakes race every live racing day, will be highlighted by the 152nd renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on August 28 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 7, the anchors of two of the most prestigious racing days in North America.

The Saratoga meet will also include the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Grade 1, $600,000 Flower Bowl, both previously run during the fall meet at Belmont Park.

All attendees must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the event and adhere to health and safety requirements, including mandatory facial coverings and social distancing. 

Additional details on fan attendance and tickets for the 2021 summer meet will be provided as information becomes available. To view the complete stakes schedule for the 2021 summer meet, visit nyra.com/stakes.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs Recreation Department is resuming open gyms after developing new COVID safe protocols for activities. Registration is required, and will be for a one-hour slot that can be made up to seven days in advance. The current schedule is Monday – Friday, 2:30–3:30 p.m. and 3:45–4:45 p.m.

For City residents open gym is $4, and for Non-City residents the price is $5. Payment is due at the time of registration and is nonrefundable. All participants must also have a valid City or Non-City Rec Card, which is free and valid for two years. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by a person 16 years or older. 

Masks must be worn at all times while in the facilities, and walk-ins will not be allowed. Enter through the parking lot side of the Rec Center and check in at the front desk, but do not enter earlier than 15 minutes before your session. Come dressed to play with shoes to change into, and bring your own basketball. These sessions are designed to work on drills and shoot hoops, no games allowed. 

Visit www.saratogarec.com to register, and for up-to-date schedules (days/times subject to change). Email questions to recreservations@saratoga-springs.org.

NEW YORK — Discovery Bicycle Tours has just announced their new Empire State Trail Bike Tour on the recently completed Empire State Trail. The Discovery route is a six day, 200-mile tour on the Hudson Valley Greenway section, starting in New York City and ending in Albany. The gentle ride on mostly paved trails, passes through historic villages and has scenic views of the Hudson River, the Catskill Mountains, and more. 

The tour is being offered on five different dates from June through October 2021. A small group of 13 riders will be accompanied by two leaders, and the trip includes most meals and five-star hotel lodging. As well, Discovery Bicycle Tours provides free parking at the starting point, detailed directions, and a helmet. You can bring your own bike, or they will provide one. The price for double occupancy is $2,495 per person.

For those interested in this tour, visit discoverybicycletours.com or call 800-257-2226.