Canada opens wheelchair curling tournament with narrow victory

CORTINA – Canada stole four points in the first end and held on for a 9-8 victory over host Italy in its wheelchair curling opener at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

The match came down to a measurement on the last shot.

With the Canadians leading 9-7 entering the eighth and final end, Italy was lying two to tie. Canadian skip Mark Ideson nudged Italy’s second shot on the outer ring. Officials brought out the measuring device which confirmed Ideson’s stone was closer.

‘’This game is going to go down in history in my mind for sure,’’ said Ideson, at his fourth Paralympic Games. ‘’I’ll never forget this game. We’re the ones that are usually down and make the comebacks. This was a bit of a different adventure for us.’’

Joining Ideson, from London, Ont., was lead Collinda Joseph of Stittsville, Ont., second Ina Forrest of Spallumcheen, B.C., and third Jon Thurston of Dunsford, Ont. Canada has reached the podium at all five Games the sport has been included.

The Italians, at their first Games since 2010, struggled to find a feel for the ice early on and the Canadians made them pay.

Thurston threw two key shots in the first end to put Canada ahead 4-0 and by the fourth it was 9-2.

But with a raucous  home crowd behind them, the Italians finished the game with a 6-0 run with two in the fifth, two more in the sixth and one in the seventh and eighth.

‘’It was an incredible atmosphere, amazing,’’ said Thurston. ‘’It was fun to play in. Loved the first half but Italy started making more shots and capitalized on their opportunities. We’ll learn from that second half.’’

Canada plays two games Sunday. In the morning versus Great Britain and in the evening against Norway.