NEWRY — Firefighters from Maine and New Hampshire held on for their lives as they raced on skis in full gear with fire hoses for a fundraising benefit at Sunday River ski resort.

Twenty teams of firefighters turned out today for the Maine resort’s 21st annual firefighter’s fundraising race, with benefits going to Maine Handicapped Skiing.

Additional Photos

Dalton Bradley of the Rumford fire department crashes during a run in the 21st Annual Firefighter's Fundraising Race today at the Sunday River ski resort in Newry. Teams of five wearing firefighting gear carried a 50-foot hose while negotiating a giant slalom race course. The race benefits the Maine Handicapped Skiing program. AP

Participants skied a giant slalom race course while decked out in helmets, jackets and pants, with each team carrying a 50-foot fire hose.

Each team had at least five firefighters who were required to be holding the hose at the start and finish, with a one-second penalty every time a racer let go in between.

The Wolfeboro, N.H., fire department took first place, with teams from Livermore Falls and Bethel, Maine, taking second and third.