The Adaptive Sports Foundation closed out its winter season this month with its annual Ralph Hartman Tribute Cup at Windham Mountain Club, drawing 43 skiers and snowboarders with physical and cognitive disabilities for an end-of-season race on the Whiteway trail.

The event, held March 14, marked the culmination of the foundation’s winter adaptive sports program, which offers lessons and recreation for children and adults with disabilities. Founded in 1984, the nonprofit has grown into a year-round program based at the Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center in Windham.

Participants took two runs through the racecourse after a morning of lessons and practice, according to the foundation. Family members, friends and supporters watched from the finish area.

The day also included an awards ceremony recognizing students and volunteers. Among the honors, Alex Jonas received the Stu Smith “Magic Man” Award, Antonio Gonzalez received the Robert “Buff” Donnelly Award, and Andrew Forman was named Volunteer Rookie of the Year. The Windham Race Club Parents Association also received a community impact award for fundraising support during the winter season.

The event included a flag parade and a performance of the national anthem by Anna Lazare, an ASF student and racer. Grant Stubbs, captain of the foundation’s competition team, also announced his retirement from racing after more than 30 years.

The race is named for Ralph Hartman, a skier who later became involved in adaptive instruction and advocacy for the organization after losing part of his left leg because of a heart condition.

The foundation said its final day of adaptive ski and snowboard lessons for the season will be March 22.

Noah Eckstein is the editor-in-chief of The Overlook. Send correspondence to noah@theoverlooknews.com.