The annual Ski Slalom Marathon in Zakopane is the brainchild of former Polish Olympian and multiple national champion in alpine skiing - Małgorzata Tlałka-Długosz, who currently presides over the Handicap Zakopane Foundation. The event consists of a twelve hour long ski slalom relay - with numerous skiers trying to ride a marked slalom one after another one as many times as possible (with multiple rides allowed).
The event is attended by professional competitors and coaches, as well as adults, children and youth under the foundation's patronage. In the record-breaking 2020 edition, the participants managed to ski a total of 720 km on the course. All proceeds from the event's sponsors are donated to the Handicap Zakopane Foundation.
On the occasion, Andrzej Duda emphasized that alpine skiing is his great passion and hobby. After the grand opening of the event, he himself skied down the slalom course several times as the captain of the team with number 1 - together with the Handicap Zakopane Foundation's protégées and some leading Polish skiers.
"I hope that we will continue to meet here, even though I will end my term as a President soon. Ten years is a very long time - and I am glad that I could be with you all these years. Thank you for all the smiles, thank you for always welcoming me so kindly"
- the Polish president said, opening the 2025 edition of the event.
Since 2014, Poland's Handicap Zakopane Foundation has been running year-round, free integration sports training in winter and summer disciplines for children and adults with disabilities. It also organizes sports and rehabilitation camps, competitions and includes its charges in sports competitions.
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Source: IAR, PAP