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Vehicle help needed for 38th Bitterroot Winter Special Olympic event

Posted at 7:03 PM, Dec 31, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-31 21:17:51-05

MISSOULA – The 38th year of the Bitterroot Winter Special Olympic games is scheduled for the end of January, but without a very specific donation they might not be able to host one of its events.

The downhill event, which is hosted at Lost Trail, is in danger of being canceled if event organizers can’t find a way to get participants to the starting line.

Athletes start about halfway down the mountain and would not be able to get to the starting line without a shuttle vehicle.

In the past they have used a 600cc snowmobile with an aggressive track and a hitch, but the operator of that vehicle has retired from the games.

Games Director Randy Hodgson says they are open to any vehicle that could get the job done.

“The specific needs for this event is a large-enough machine with aggressive track and a hitch to be able to hook onto a sled, load up a skier and go up the face at Lost Trail. It’s not a long run, but it’s fairly steep,” Hodgson said. “So we would need this to happen both Tuesday and Wednesday of the 29th and 30th.”

This year is especially important for the athletes because this is a World Games qualifier. With the loss of the state games, local events have turned into the qualifiers.

If you would like to get some more information about what kind of vehicle is needed you can call 406-360-1584.