Fourteen developmental competitors with disabilities, aged 10 to 60 years, from Queenstown Lakes, Otago and Southland clubs, competed at the Strike Bowl centre at Arthurs Point - an event some had spent many weeks preparing for.
With sleet and snow falling steadily outside by early afternoon, organisers decided to call the day early to ensure the travelling teams made it home safely to Dunedin, Invercargill and Gore.
Special Olympics regional sports co-ordinator Jan Aitken said despite the early finish, the event had been "amazing" and provided bowlers in the development stage an opportunity to compete with others that they might not otherwise have.
The two Queenstown teams, led by Ryan Tankard (14), Amos van Asch (10), and Rhiannon Waite (11), won the friendly competition, followed by the Southland and Otago teams.
It was the first competition for the young Queenstown bowlers who were fairly new to the game, but they had been training once a week for several months in preparation and were matched up with "developmental" athletes from the other clubs, Mrs Aitken said.
Taking part in the ribbon day allows them to compete in the regional competition later this year, at which point they qualify for the National Summer Games in 2013.
Mrs Aitken said bowling was an ideal sport for disabled people as it was "easily accessible" and provided for athletes of all abilities, all the way up to international level.
The activities continue on Thursday with the inaugural Athletes with Disabilities Aquatics fun day in Wanaka.
