Calgary to host the 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championships A-Pool
By World Para Ice Hockey and Hockey Canada
The 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championships A-Pool will head to Calgary, Canada for the first time it has been announced, as Hockey Canada’s headquarters play host to the biggest event on the sport’s calendar this year.
Derek Zaplotinsky pays his dues to become World Cup gold medallist
PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. –. After nearly a decade on the Para nordic national team, Derek Zaplotinsky is seeing the fruits of his labour with medal winning results on the World Cup circuit over the past two seasons.
It reached a new high on Thursday when he won the gold medal in the men’s sitting five kilometre cross country race at the World Cup Final, his first international win. It was an emotional moment for Zaplotinsky who triumphed before friends and family including his parents.
Veteran Derek Zaplotinsky wins first career Para nordic skiing World Cup gold
PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – Nine-year national team veteran Derek Zaplotinsky of Smoky Lake, Alta., earned his first career Para nordic skiing World Cup victory on Thursday winning the men’s sitting five kilometre cross country race.
Natalie Wilkie of Salmon Arm, B.C. added a silver in the women’s standing event and Mark Arendz of Hartsville, PEI took bronze in the men’s standing race.
Mark Arendz wins gold, crowned Para biathlon World Cup champion
PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. Mark Arendz of Hartsville, PEI concluded the Para nordic biathlon season undefeated with a victory Wednesday in the 10 kilometre men’s standing race to capture the overall Para biathlon World Cup crown.
Not only did he win all four biathlon races this season on the circuit, he also swept gold in all three events at the Para biathlon worlds, also held in Prince George last week.
Brian McKeever gets new lease on life as head coach of Canada’s powerful Para nordic team
PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – Canada’s most successful winter Paralympian Brian McKeever is already completing his second season as Canada’s Para nordic national team coach and he admits it is more stressful than being a superstar athlete.
‘’When you're an athlete you only worry about one person, now it's worrying about all the athletes,’’ said McKeever after Tuesday’s training at the Para nordic World Cup Final. ‘’It's also very rewarding. To see our athletes learn is the best part.''
Canada’s Para nordic team ready to shine at World Cup Final
PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – A misty rain that started at the end of training Tuesday may forecast some challenging conditions ahead but that didn’t dampen the spirit of the Canadian team for the Para nordic World Cup final which runs Wednesday to Sunday at the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club.
Natalie Wilkie of Salmon Arm, B.C., one of Canada’s big stars in the sport, is more than happy to tackle even more hurdles on what is considered a very challenging course.
ParaTough Cup fuelled by Petro-Canada™ Calgary stop raises $85,000
CALGARY – The third ParaTough Cup fuelled by Petro-Canada™ of the 2023-24 season attracted 12 teams from nine organisations. The event raised $85,000 for the Paralympic Foundation of Canada’s IGNITE Campaign with funds going towards Para sport at all levels.
The event also brings hand-on awareness to PFC and CPC sponsors on the challenges of being involved in Para sport, both by trying the sports and meeting the athletes.
Golden sweep for Canada’s Mark Arendz at Para biathlon world championships
PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – Mark Arendz of Hartsville, PEI completed a golden hat trick this past weekend at the inaugural 18-country Para biathlon world championships.
On Saturday, the 12-time Paralympic Games medallist posted his third victory at the event winning the men’s standing sprint pursuit going 10 for 10 in the shooting range and clocking 11 minutes and 18.9 seconds.
Arendz, who lost his left arm above the elbow in a farming accident at age seven, also won the 7.5 kilometre on Wednesday and the 12.5 kilometre on Thursday,
Canada wins silver medal at wheelchair curling world championships
GANGNEUNG, South Korea - Canada won the silver medal at the World Wheelchair Curling Championship on Saturday.
The Canadians lost 6-2 to Norway in the final. It was a second straight silver and the third in four years.
Team Canada, consisted of skip (lead rocks) Mark Ideson of London, Ont., fourth Jon Thurston of Dunsford, Ont.,, third Ina Forrest of Spallumcheen, B.C. and second Gil Dash of Wolseley, Sask. The alternate was Chrissy Molnar, head coach Mick Lizmore, and team leader Kyle Paquette.
Karen O’Neill and CPC among 2024 IPC International Women’s Day Recognition Award winners
OTTAWA - The 2024 IPC International Women’s Day Recognition Award were unveiled Friday and winners included Karen O’Neill, the CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee for Leadership while the CPC itself was awarded the IPC Member prize.
“I am so proud of the Canadian Paralympic Committee for its recognition in advancing gender equality and inclusivity and the support for all of our leadership efforts,’’ said O’Neill.