SOCHI, Russia, March 8, 2014 /CNW/ - Team Canada had a strong first day at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games, winning three medals: a silver by Josh Dueck, of Kimberley, B.C. in the men's downhill sit-ski, a silver by Mark Arendz of Hartsville, P.E.I. in biathlon, and a bronze by Mac Marcoux (Sault Ste. Marie) and guide Robin Fémy (Mont-Tremblant, Que.) in the men's visually-impaired downhill.
What Canada Did on Saturday at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games:
PARA-ALPINE SKIING
Kimberley B.C.'s Josh Dueck raced to the silver medal in the men's downhill sit-ski - on the tenth anniversary of his accident. Mac Marcoux (Sault Ste. Marie) and guide Robin Fémy (Mont-Tremblant, Que.) won bronze in the men's visually-impaired downhill. Canada's Kurt Oatway, of Calgary, Alta., and Caleb Brousseau, of Terrace, B.C., were fifth (1:25.46) and sixth (1:25.62), respectively, in the sit-ski category. Standing skiers Braydon Luscombe, from Duncan, B.C., and Kirk Schornstein, of Spruce Grove, Alta, did not finish. There were no Canadian female athletes competing in the downhill. Next up is Sunday's men's super-G, which will feature the same Canadian athletes who raced in Saturday's downhill, in addition to Coquitlam, B.C.'s Matt Hallat.
BIATHLON
Mark Arendz was the top Canadian, winning the silver medal in the men's 7.5-kilometre standing division. Arendz (Hartsville, P.E.I.) finished with a time of 19 minutes, 14.0 seconds (1+0). Margarita Gorbounova (Ottawa, Ont.) and her guide Andrea Bundon (Regina, Sask.) finished seventh in the 6-kilometre women's visually impaired race with a time of 26:17.8 (2+0). Caroline Bisson (Ottawa, Ont.) was 14th in the women's 6-kilometre standing race with a time of 27:14.8 (2+1). The para-Nordic events continue tomorrow with the men's and women's long distance sitting cross-country ski races.
SLEDGE HOCKEY
Anthony Gale (Brampton, Ont.) and Adam Dixon (Midland, Ont.) each had two goals and two assists to lead Canada's sledge team to a tournament opening 10-1 win over Sweden. Canada plays Norway tomorrow at 1 p.m.
WHEELCHAIR CURLING
In the first day of round robin play, Canada defeated Great Britain 6-3 in the early game and in the later contest, they squeaked by a much improved Russian team 5-4. Tomorrow they face Sweden at 3:30 p.m.
PARA-SNOWBOARD
The para-snowboard team continues to train and prepare for their race day, which is Friday, March 14.
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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