NEWRY, Maine — The Jay Fire Department edged out fifteen other teams to take first place in the 19th Annual Firefighters’ Race at Sunday River benefiting Maine Handicapped Skiing. Their winning time was 30.05 seconds. The margin of victory over second place finishers from Bethel was only .07 seconds. The margin between the second and third place team from Portland was at .18 seconds.

Firefighters in full gear raced down a giant slalom course on the Tempest trail toting 50 feet of fire hose. Teams were composed of skiers, snowboarders and snowbladers.

At the bottom of the course outside the White Cap Base Lodge, the Eat the Heat Chili Cookoff was underway. 12 slow-cooking teams offered up their best batches of chili to the hungry crowd and panel of celebrity judges. The judge’s scores combined to award first place to Cho Sun from Bethel. The runner’s up award in the annual chili contest went to the Gringo Harry’s from Newry with Rooster’s Roadhouse from Bethel finishing third. The People’s Choice went to the Barking Dog of Newry.

Visitors turned out in force and were treated to spectacular weather and prime conditions on the mountain. Enjoying chili samples and other food, the weekend kicks off a spring of festivities when Sunday River will host the Parrot Head Festival, April 4-5.

All proceeds from this weekend’s events went to Maine Handicapped Skiing. In total, the weekend raised over $250,000 for the non-profit organization.

Sunday River is located minutes from picturesque Bethel Village in western Maine’s Mahoosuc Mountains. A true four-season destination, the resort offers eight interconnected peaks of world class skiing and snowboarding, two Grand Resort Hotels and golf at the acclaimed Sunday River Golf Club. Sunday River is a member of the Boyne Resorts family of resorts and attractions.