______________
Parts of a Greater Whole
2013
_____________
World T.E.A.M. Sports Annual Review
World T.E.A.M. Sports Annual Review
2013
Parts of a Greater Whole
GINA
UTEGG
_____________
[ Volunteer, Disabled Athlete ]
Location: Tewksbury, MA
2013 Events: Adventure Team Challenge Colorado,
Face of America
Gina inspires and empowers those around her. She’s a mom, a wife, a friend, and—
equally important—an advocate for those living with disabilities and cancer. She
suffered a serious automobile accident that left her with traumatic brain injuries,
post-traumatic stress syndrome, spinal cord damage, and central nervous system
damage. Then, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, and surgery, chemo,
and radiation followed.
Whereas many would be overwhelmed by that list of physical, mental, and
spiritual challenges, Gina turned to adaptive sports. “The welcoming environment
of World T.E.A.M. Sports was the spark that got me to become the serious, disabled,
endurance-adventure athlete that I have become today.”
Photo: Gina Utegg found every moment of her second Adventure
Surprisingly, however, Gina wasn’t the first athlete in her family to try a World
Team Challenge in Colorado to be thrilling. Van Brinson photograph.
T.E.A.M. Sports event. Her daughter, Rachael, participated in the Ultimate T.E.A.M.
______________
______________
Gina’s Gear
Inclusive Sports Clinic in Boston as an able-bodied athlete, because her parents
wanted her to be comfortable interacting with children of all abilities. It was such a
great experience that the family continued to sign up for World T.E.A.M. Sports events.
Today, Gina says, “World T.E.A.M. Sports has given me health, happiness, and
purpose.” In 2013, she completed her second Adventure Team Challenge Colorado
Climbing Rope
Webbing
and her fourth consecutive Face of America Race. During every event, she carries
Carabineers
Bike Helmet
personal mementos—medals, necklaces, and pins—for friends and family that she
Tape
Cycling Shoe
may ride with, for, or in memory of.
Water Bottle
Nut Tool
Personal Mementos
Chapstick
Photo: The Prologue at the Adventure Team Challenge provides teams with an opportunity to experience components of the next two days—mountain biking, hiking, and rappelling. Gina
Figure 8
Lanyard
Utegg’s team was off to a fast start from the Rabbit Valley Camp in the McGinnis Canyons National Conservation Area. Van Brinson photograph.
Belay Device
Recumbent Bike Wheel
Headlamp
Pedals
Handlebar
Bike Plate
Brake Lever
Event Jersey
Windbreaker
Sunglasses
__________________ __________________
Photo: Backing over the edge of
the rappel on the second stage of
the Adventure Team Challenge in
Colorado was one of Gina Utegg’s
biggest challenges. The drop is over
100 feet to the ground, most of it
free and swinging after the top lip.
Van Brinson photograph.
BILLY & HÉLÈNE MATTISON
[ Race Directors ]
Location: Boulder, CO
2013 Events: Adventure Team Challenge Colorado
Location: Vail, CO
2013 Events: Adventure Team Challenge Colorado
It didn’t take much convincing to get Topher, a C6-C7 quadriplegic, out on the
A former professional adventure racer, Billy has never been one to watch the action pass
Adventure Team Challenge Colorado course. A Boulder local, he works to make trails in
him by. So when he retired from the sport, he partnered with his wife Hélène to design
the area wheelchair accessible, so he was quite familiar with the challenges that lay ahead.
and direct adventure races. Creating a course for both able-bodied and disabled athletes
“I thought this was the most amazing journey of people with disabilities and wanted to
presented a new challenge, but the resulting event is now a great source of pride for this
do it. [My team] didn't do well the first year, but we had a blast! After that we continued to
duo. “The camaraderie that such events bring about has always been what’s inspired us.
improve until we won the race last year.” What has been the best part of participating?
It is all about doing what you at first could not perceive, but then, through team work, you
“It changed my view that I always have to accomplish things on my own. Working as a
can achieve it.”
team is very rewarding.”
08
TOPHER DOWNHAM
[ Disabled Athlete ]
Climbing Shoe
Adventure Team Challenge
Adventure Team Challenge
09