Para sport update: Canada delivers best day yet with four medals at Para alpine World Cup

SANTA CATERINA, Italy – Kalle Eriksson and his guide Sierra Smith were among three Canadian entries that posted season-best results on Wednesday to conclude the second stop on the Para alpine World Cup circuit.

In Wednesday’s downhill races, Eriksson, from Kimberley, B.C., and Smith from Ottawa, took silver in the men’s visually impaired; Alexis Guimond of Gatineau, Que., was second in the men’s standing downhill as was Mollie Jepsen in the women’s standing race. Right behind Jepsen was Mikaela Gosselin of Collingwood, Ont., in third, her first podium this season.

The four-medal intake was a season high for the Canadians tuning up for this March’s Paralympic Winter Games set for March 6-15 at Milano Cortina, Italy.

Eriksson and Smith, vying for a first Games appearance after uniting their forces in 2023, finished 0.66 second behind Johannes Aigner of Austria who completed the 1,856 metre run in one minute and 07.91 seconds.

Robin Cuche of Switzerland took the men’s standing event in 1:07.79 with Guimond, a two-time Paralympic medallist, second in 1:08.42 in a 25-man field.

Aurélie Richard of France repeated as the women’s standing downhill winner with six-time Games medallist Jepsen and Gosselin grabbing the other two medals.

Jepsen and Guimond have medalled in their four World Cup races this season.

It was also a promising day for Brian Rowland of Merrickville, Ont., who placed a season’s best fifth in the men’s sitting downhill. He was 10^th on Tuesday.

The third stop on the circuit is this Friday to Sunday in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

McDonald named Canada Soccer’s 2025 Para Player of the Year

Duncan McDonald of Powell River, B.C., has been named Canada Soccer’s 2025 Para Player of the Year as selected by the National Team Program. ​ ​ 

‘’Duncan stepped up as captain and provided outstanding leadership both on and off the field,’’ said Drew Ferguson, head coach of Canada Soccer’s Para soccer national team.  ‘’He played every minute of every match at the 2025 IFCPF Copa América, operating at centre back, and led the tournament in tackles and blocked shots.

‘’He was a standout performer throughout the entire competition.”

McDonald had an excellent 2025 for Canada Soccer’s Para Soccer National Team (CANPARA) leading Canada to a fourth-place finish at the 2025 IFCPF Copa América in Moldonado, Uruguay this October.

Leading the line at the back, he finished in the tournament lead in tackles and blocked shots. Canada produced stellar results, defeating Chile 3-2 and CP Soccer US 2-1 as they just missed the podium slots at the tournament. 

At the age of 25, McDonald has a bright future ahead of him as he looks to lead CANPARA at future tournaments.