A couple of Prince George snowboarders struck individual gold Saturday at the Canada Winter Games. Both Meryeta O’Dine (female) and Evan Bichon (male) won the snowboard cross at Tabor Mountain. Katie Anderson of Jaffray took
bronze in snowboard cross. “This was the result I was hoping for, but not necessarily what I was expecting,” explained O’Dine, who credits the Winter Games with inspiring her to excel in her sport. “The Canada Games are what really got me into snowboarding,” she said. “When I was just starting I knew someone that was going to the Canada Games and I was like ‘wow – she’s going to the Canada Games – I want to do that.’ Even though I was only 14 and hadn’t even raced yet. I am really proud now to be here and to have my own win.”
–Team BC finished its final day of competition in the Canada Winter Games by winning another 12 medals, two gold, six silver, and four bronze, bringing the host province’s total medal count to 88.
–A total of eight Prince George athletes earned at least one medal at the Winter Games.
–UPDATE: In the final competition of the Winter Games, Ontario won the gold medal in men’s hockey, 3-1 over Alberta.
–Manitoba captured bronze in men’s hockey after a 5-3 victory over Quebec. BC finished 6th dropping a 3-2 decision to Nova Scotia. The BC men’s hockey team included a pair of Cariboo Cougars: sniper Justin Almeida and back-up goalie Dorrin Luding.
–BC finished 4th in women’s team judo losing the bronze medal match to Ontario. The BC team included Lavanna Laass, Kristen Yawney and Grace Northrop of Prince George. Quebec whipped Alberta for gold. Meanwhile, BC captured bronze in men’s team judo defeating Manitoba. Gold went to Ontario with Quebec the silver.
–The table tennis competition came to a close with Team BC earning five medals (four silver and a bronze).
–In squash, the BC women’s team took silver.
–Ontario took gold in women’s curling, edging Nova Scotia in the final 6-5 in an extra end. Saskatchewan captured bronze thanks to a 9-8 victory over New Brunswick. BC’s Sarah Daniels of North Delta ended up 5th after a 9-8 triumph over Alberta.
–At Otway Nordic Centre, the BC cross country relay teams skied their way to women’s silver and men’s bronze. The cross country team wrapped up a successful week with a gold, silver, and two bronze in the able body categories and four gold, four silver and one bronze in the para events.
–After two plus weeks of action at the Winter Games including 88 podium performances by B.C. athletes, squash athlete Michele Garceau (Surrey) has been chosen as the Closing Ceremony flag bearer for Team BC. A double medalist at the Games, Garceau won the gold medal in the first ever Canada Winter Games squash singles competition and followed that with a silver medal in the team event.
Photo: Courtesy of Canada Winter Games