ESPN Games back in Placid
Outdoor Games, starting July 11, appear better than ever
By DENNIS APRILL, Outdoors Columnist
The ESPN Great Outdoor Games open Thursday, July 11 in Lake Placid, and this year looks to be the best games yet.
For one thing, there will be more interactive activities this time around for spectators and visitors to the Olympic Oval on Main Street. Those interested will not only be able to scale a pole like last year, but also fish, shoot and try other outdoor sports.
The Games actually kick off Wednesday, July 10, with the fly-fishing casting competition at Mirror Lake.
Returning is last year’s champion, Chuck Farneth.
The other fishing event is for bass in the Saranac Lake chain, and the lineup of bass pros, including two-time champion Peter Thilveros and last year’s Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam, promises to be the tightest competition yet.
Dogs will once again account for a sizable contingent, competiting in sports like the Agility event to the very popular Big Air competition in which they run down a plank, then leap into Mirror Lake. The dog with the longest leap wins. Sosa, a Labrador retriever owned and trained by Saranac Lake resident Nick Fiacco, is a fan favorite. Also competing will be Haley, a 16 month old yellow Lab who recently set a world record with a 23-foot, 4-inch leap.
The timber sports, particularly the boom runs, log spinning, tree topping, and hot saw, reflect a bygone era in logging. The boom run is another crowd pleaser.
Archery and shooting sports will be at the Lake Placid Club resort.
Mark Malone, Jerry McKinnis and the regular cast of ESPN return to announce the Games that wrap up on Sunday, July 14. The television coverage, which in the past really promoted the area well, starts airing July 20 and will be shown on ESPN, ESPN2, and limited coverage on ABC.
Venues are free and open to the public.
This Tuesday, ESPN will announce the winner of the Great Outdoor Games Volunteer T-Shirt Design Scholarship. The contest was open to all area high school students. The top 40 entries are on display at the Olympic Museum in Lake Placid through the end of July.
Field Notes
FLW Outdoors, the organizers of the Forrest Wood Open Bass Fishing Tournament in Plattsburgh last weekend, announced Wednesday their 2003 tournament schedule.
Lake Champlain is not on that list. However, Plattsburgh may be added as early as 2004.