Beijing 2022 Day 8 Preview: Brian McKeever and Natalie Wilkie lead strong Canadian team in cross country races

BEIJING – The Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games is down to its penultimate day of competition, with Canada set to see action in Para nordic skiing and Para alpine skiing. Below is what’s on the schedule for the Canadian Paralympic Team on Day 8, March 12: 

Para Nordic Skiing – Cross Country
The individual races in Para cross country wrap up on Saturday with the middle distance events, with both of Canada’s double gold medallists in contention once again. 

First up is Brian McKeever, who will set off for his last individual race at a Paralympic Games at 10 a.m. local / 9 p.m. Friday ET. The six-time Paralympian, racing with guide Graham Nishikawa, is looking for his 20th career Paralympic medal at his final Games. He has already won two gold here in Beijing in the men’s vision impaired sprint and long distance, his 14th and 15th gold medals. 

Five-time Paralympic medallist and two-time champion in Beijing, Natalie Wilkie leads a strong crew in the women’s standing category. Wilkie, who has won both distances in cross country so far, along with Brittany Hudak and Emily Young will start at 11:35 a.m. local / 10:35 p.m. Friday ET. 

At 10:15 a.m. local / 9:15 p.m. Friday ET Mark Arendz will race for his first cross country medal in Beijing in the men’s standing classification. He has three medals at the Games so far, all in biathlon. 

Wrapping up the day will be Canada’s sit skiers – Collin Cameron, Ethan Hess, and Derek Zaplotinsky in the men’s event at 12:30 p.m. local / 11:30 p.m. Friday ET followed by Lyne-Marie Bilodeau and Christina Picton in the women’s, leaving the start line 20 minutes later. 

The relay races will take place on Sunday. 

Para Alpine Skiing 
The women of Canada’s Para alpine skiing team will finish their 2022 Paralympic Winter Games campaigns with the slalom starting with the first runs at 8:30 a.m. local / 7:30 p.m. Friday ET. The Canadian contingent includes standing skiers Alana Ramsay and Michaela Gosselin and sit skier Katie Combaluzier. 

CLICK HERE for the complete Canadian Paralympic Team schedule on March 12.