SOCHI, Russia, March 12, 2014 /CNW/ - Para-Nordic skier Brian McKeever's second gold medal of these Games highlighted Canada's fifth day of competition in Sochi, along with a silver-medal performance by para-alpine skier Kimberly Joines in the women's sitting category, though still considered unofficial until an appeal process takes place tomorrow.
What Canada Did on Wednesday at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games:
PARA-NORDIC SKIING
Brian McKeever (Canmore, Alta.) and Graham Nishikawa (Whitehorse) teamed up to win the gold medal in dramatic fashion in the men's visually impaired cross-country skiing sprint race. A handful of other Canadians also competed in the sprint races. Chris Klebl, of Canmore, Alta., qualified for the men's sit-skiing heats, but did not advance to the final. Robbi Weldon, of Thunder Bay, Ont., along with her guide Phil Wood, of Canmore, Alta., also had their day come to an end in the semifinals of the women's visually impaired category, while Paralympic rookie, Brittany Hudak of Prince Albert, Sask., could not advance past the women's standing semifinals.
Other Canadians who did not qualify for the heats included: Ottawa's Margarita Gorbournova and her Regina-based guide, Andrea Bundon, in the women's visually impaired race. Louis Fortin (Fredericton, N.B) did not qualify in the men's standing class, Saskatoon's Colette Bourgonje also competed in women's sit-skiing, while Quebec City's Sebastien Fortier, and Yves Bourque (Bécancour, Que.) also did not qualify for the men's sit-skiing heats. Following a day off on Thursday, the final biathlon competition of the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games will take place at the Laura Nordic Stadium on Friday.
WHEELCHAIR CURLING
Canada (6-1) defeated Korea 10 to 4 and is still tied with Russia for first place. Tomorrow they play Slovakia at 9:30 a.m. and Finland at 15:30.
PARA-ALPINE SKIING
In the women's slalom, Kimberly Joines (Rossland, B.C.) was the top-placing Canadian, earning a silver medal in the sitting category with a two-run combined time of two minutes, 15.16 seconds. In the women's standing division, Alexandra Starker (Calgary, Alta.) finished sixth (2:14.16). Erin Latimer (Etobicoke, Ont.) was eighth (2:19.31), and Alana Ramsay (Calgary, Alta.) was ninth (2:24.06). Up next, men's night slalom is set for Thursday, and the women's super-G from the postponed super combined is scheduled for Friday, followed by men's and women's giant slalom on Saturday and Sunday.
SLEDGE HOCKEY
The sledge hockey team had the day off today and face the United States on Thursday in the semifinal at 20:00.
PARA-SNOWBOARD
The para-snowboard team continues to train and prepare for their race day on Friday, March 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Photo Release
Key photo highlights from the day are below. All photos can now be downloaded at: photos.paralympic.ca
Photo 1: http://photos.paralympic.ca/image/I00009ZiNetpoMGo
CAPTION: Sochi, Russia, March 12, 2014 - Mark Arendz receives his bronze medal win in the 12.5km standing biathlon at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi Russia. (Photo Scott Grant/Canadian Paralympic Committee)
Photo 2: http://photos.paralympic.ca/image/I0000zITzldvYb6I
CAPTION: Sochi, Russia, March 12, 2014 - Canadian Kimberly Joines competes in the women's slalom sitting skiing at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi Russia.(Photo Scott Grant/Canadian Paralympic Committee)
Photo 3: http://photos.paralympic.ca/image/I00006AQb.QQcmK4
Sochi, RUSSIA - March 12, 2014 - Brian McKeever and his guide Graham Nishikawa win the gold medal in the Men's 1km Sprint Visually Impaired Final at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. (Photo: Matthew Murnaghan/Canadian Paralympic Committee)
Photo 4: http://photos.paralympic.ca/image/I0000lc0K4.zLTrE
Sochi, RUSSIA - March 12, 2014 - Brian McKeever and his guide Graham Nishikawa win the gold medal in the Men's 1km Sprint Visually Impaired Final at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. (Photo: Matthew Murnaghan/Canadian Paralympic Committee)
PHOTOGRAPHY: Media are invited to visit photos.paralympic.ca and create an account to be able to download high-resolution photos of Canadian Paralympic athletes at any time, at no cost.
For full information about Team Canada at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games, please visit paralympic.ca/team-canada.
SOURCE: Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)
John Sims
Media attaché, wheelchair curling
SOCHI Cell: 011-7-938-454-3212
[email protected]
Kelsey Verboom
Media attaché, para-alpine
SOCHI cell: 011-7-938-454-3196
[email protected]
Chris Dornan
Media attaché, para-Nordic
SOCHI Cell: 011-7 9384543206
[email protected]
Keegan Goodrich
Media attaché, sledge hockey
SOCHI Cell 011-7-925-403-3678
[email protected]
Alison Korn
Press Chief and para-snowboard media attaché
SOCHI Cell: 011-7-938-454-3162
[email protected]
Martin Richard
Executive Director, Communications & Marketing
Canadian Paralympic Committee
SOCHI cell: 011-7-938-454-3179
[email protected]
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