May 23, 2013
Organizers of the nation's largest Olympic-style winter sports festival are giddy over snow, and lots of it.
For the first time in three years, central Wisconsin has enough snow for the Badger State Winter Games, meaning no events are jeopardized as they were in recent years.
Spokeswoman Sarah Stone says not only that, nearly all the state has significant snow on the ground so competitors can practice for their events.
The 17th annual games begin Friday and run through Sunday, featuring competition for all ages in eleven events, from curling and cross-country skiing to hockey and downhill skiing.
The competition draws everything from youth hockey teams to recreational skiers to serious, competitive racers.
Judy Punke of Wausau is looking forward to participating in snowshoe racing in more than a foot of snow.
