Lavanna Laass of Prince George captured silver in women’s judo (-63 kgs). The 18-year-old member of the Hart Judo Academy won her first two bouts before losing the final to Hanna Varsanyi of Lethbridge. Varsanyi was declared the winner following a choke out. “Coming away with silver is really exciting for me in my hometown. Even though I didn’t win gold, I don’t feel like I lost, and I don’t feel like I disappointed anyone either,” said Laass who added she is ready for team fights which go on Saturday.
–Grace Northrop (-52kgs) of the Hart Judo Academy finished 0-3. Kristen Yawney (-70kgs) of the PG Judo Club competes this afternoon (starting at 1)
–Figure skater Justin Hampole of Prince George earned a bronze. The 13-year-old Hampole finished third (out of 11) in pre-novice men before an enthusiastic standing room only crowd at Lakewood Dental Kin 1 Arena. “I think it was fantastic with the crowd. It was awesome,” said Hampole who was pleased he was able to keep focused during the competition. Figure skating wraps up today.
–BC, skipped by Sarah Daniels of North Delta, is 4-1 in women’s curling following a 7-5 loss to Ontario. Earlier in the day, Daniels whipped PEI 9-3. BC will conclude round robin play today (9am) against Saskatchewan at the PG Golf and Curling Club. Saskatchewan is also 4-1. Quarter-finals go Friday at noon with semis to follow Friday at 7pm. Bronze game is set for Saturday at 1 and the gold medal game will go Saturday at 5.
–The men’s hockey quarter-finals are set for tonight. BC will play Quebec at 7:30 at Kin 2 while Ontario meets Saskatchewan at 7:30 at CN Centre. The earlier games have Manitoba against Nova Scotia at 4pm at CN Centre and Alberta vs. New Brunswick at 4pm at Kin 2.
Also at the Canada Winter Games:
–Cross Country skiing resumes today at Otway with the mass start races.
–Badminton, squash and judo continue today at the Northern Sport Centre.
–Table tennis resumes today at Duchess Park.
–Snowboarding will pick up Friday with slope style and will conclude Saturday with snow cross at Tabor Mountain. PG snowboarders entered are Meryeta O’dine, Evan Bichon and Dawson Ellery.
–Synchronized swimming will be back in the pool Friday and Saturday at the PG Aquatic Centre.
–Artistic Gymnastics wrapped up Wednesday with finals in trampoline.
Medal standings
–Team BC added 14 medals to its haul on Wednesday for a total of 63. Quebec has a substantial lead with 113 followed by Ontario with 79. Alberta is 4th with 55.