Figure Skating 2024

Rory Palmer spins during her performance at Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial in Syracuse, N.Y. (Photo by Caroline Sherman)

Figure Skating is regarded as a quintessential winter sport, and at Special Olympics New York it is no exception. Athletes within various competition categories put their talent and hard work to the ice at the Upsate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial, in Syracuse, N.Y. Each skater performed to a song of their choice, demonstrating their footwork, spins and leaps with individual creative flair and their hours of practice, hard work and dedication paid off at the afternoon’s medal ceremony.

Cori Piels from the Genesee Region, who took home the gold in her division, and Matthew Gabello will go on to compete at the 2025 World Winter Games in Turin, Italy representing Team USA.

Peter Dailey (left), Jonathan Peterson (center) and Mathew Gabella (right) prepare for the men’s figure skating competition. (Photo by Travis Lacoss)
Mina Reay, one of the youngest competitors at 11 years old, unloads her bags when arriving at War Memorial in Syracuse, N.Y. Reay competes in figure skating and went on to win gold in her age group. (Photo by Travis Lacoss)
Mary Dorsch gets her makeup done before warmups by Alyssa Fitzgerald. (Photo by Caroline Sherman)
In a blur of a spin, Mina Reay, 11, competes in the women’s figure skating competition (Photo by Travis LaCoss)
Jonathan Peterson stands with his hands behind his back while waiting to go on the ice. (Photo by Caroline Sherman)
Mina Reay, 11, stands with her coach, wearing her gold medal and plush toy bunnies. (Photo by Caroline Sherman)
Fellow athletes, coaches, and family all look on as Lauren Marraffa completes her performance. (Photo by Travis LaCoss)
Timothy Ranger celebrates with friends after completing his program in men’s figure skating at War Memorial in Syracuse, N.Y. (Photo by Travis Lacoss)
Emma Cahill completes her figure skating routine at War Memorial in Syracuse, N.Y. (Photo by Travis Lacoss)
Rory Palmer starts a camel spin during her performance at Upstate Medical Arena at War Memorial in Syracuse, N.Y. (Photo by Caroline Sherman)
Peter Dailey, a men’s figure skater, uses a cell phone to watch a fellow figure skater compete during the preliminary round of competition, at War Memorial in Syracuse, N.Y. Because of his visual impairment, Dailey uses a mobile phone to help him see the competition. (Photo by Travis Lacoss)
Mina Reay, 11, completes a spin during her performance. (Photo by Caroline Sherman)
Julia Cowley finishes her program in figure skating. (Photo by Travis Lacoss)
Jonathan Peterson during the preliminary round of men’s figure skating. (Photo by Travis Lacoss)
Lauren Marraffa performs in the preliminary competition. (Photo by Travis Lacoss)
Cori Piels glides on one foot during her performance to the song “One Moment in Time” by Whitney Houston at Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial in Syracuse, N.Y. (Photo by Caroline Sherman)
Emma Cahill covers her face in excitement after receiving her medal in figure skating. (Photo by Caroline Sherman)
Athletes pose for a photo with their medals at Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial in Syracuse, N.Y. (Photo by Caroline Sherman)