Double loss for Canada at wheelchair curling world championships

GANGNEUNG, South Korea – Canada lost 7-5 to the United States and 8-2 to Scotland on Tuesday at the 2024 Wheelchair Curling World Championships.

The Canadians are now in a four-way tie for fourth place in the preliminary round standings. The top six teams from the round robin advance to the playoffs, with the top two receiving a bye while the remaining four play in the first round.

“We made a lot of shots today,” said Canadian skip Mark Ideson of London, Ont., “We were just on the wrong side of the inch.”

Weekend wrap-up: Smooth start for Canada at Wheelchair Curling World Championships

GANGNEUNG, South Korea – Canada has opened the 2024 Wheelchair Curling World Championships with four wins in five games to stand second in the 12-country preliminary round standings.

Canada, last year’s silver medallists, opened the tournament Saturday with a 9-6 victory over South Korea then defeated Slovakia 6-4 and Italy 8-3 on Sunday. Its first loss was Monday morning to defending champions China 6-4 but Canada bounced back to beat Estonia 7-5 later Monday.

Mark Arendz heads to Para biathlon worlds undefeated in the event this season

CANMORE, Alta. – Twelve-time Paralympic Winter Games medallist Mark Arendz has served notice he is the one to beat in the men’s standing events at the inaugural Para biathlon world championships set for March 5-10 at the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club in Prince George, B.C.

With weather in Europe wreaking havoc on the schedule, there have been only two World Cups this winter. The World Cup Final will follow the biathlon worlds March 13-17 at the same venue with more biathlon as well as cross country races.

Canada ices veteran squad for wheelchair curling world championships

Led by skip Mark Ideson, Canada looks to return to the podium at the wheelchair curling world championships set for March 2-9 at the 2018 Paralympic Games venue in Gangneung, South Korea.

The mixed doubles worlds follow right after March 11-16 at the same location. 

Canada is looking for a third podium in four years with Ideson at the helm for a fifth straight worlds. The Canadians won silver last year and were also second in 2020.

Gil Dash pays his dues to be on national wheelchair curling team

REGINA – Gil Dash is a familiar face in Canadian wheelchair curling circles both as a player and builder.

Now he’s carving his reputation at the international level as the second on Canada’s national team. Dash made his worlds debut in 2023 and helped Canada to a silver medal. The Canadians lost in the final to China, which took gold for a second straight worlds.

Six Canadians in Dubai for Para athletics Grand Prix season opener

DUBAI – Austin Smeenk of Oakville, Ont. leads a six-member Canadian team at the star studded Dubai Grand Prix in Para athletics which will get underway on Tuesday. The meet was delayed a day due to bad weather on Monday.

Smeenk, a 26-year-old veteran wheelchair racer born with spastic paraplegia, produced a fantastic 2023 season to clearly establish himself as a top medal contender for the 2024 Paralmypic Games in Paris.