Para sport Notebook: Tyler Turner triumphs at Para snowboard World Cup
Para athletes shine on and off the playing field
LENK, Switzerland – Paralympic Games champion Tyler Turner of Campbell River, B.C., won the gold medal in the men’s Lower Limb 1 (LL1) snowboard cross at the third stop on the Para snowboard World Cup circuit.
Due to difficult weather conditions, there were no elimination round events and the final standings were based on the Wednesday morning qualification run.
‘’It was a weird one here at the World Cup in Switzerland,’’ messaged Turner on his Instagram account. ‘’Stoked to sneak on top of the podium after heats were cancelled for weather.’’
Turner completed the Hasler course in one minute and 06.24 seconds. Two Americans followed with Mike Shultz second in 1:06.62 and Noah Elliott third in 1:07.15.
After a postponement on Thursday due to heavy snow, the race unfolded normally on Friday. Turner reached the final and took fourth spot with Elliott winning the gold.
Sandrine Hamel of St-Sauveur, Que., a two-time Paralympian, reached the small final in the women’s LL1-2 and was eighth.
Rob Shaw advances to semis in doubles at Australian Open
Two-time Paralympian Rob Shaw’s quest to reach all four Grand Slam finals stalled at the Australian Open on Thursday.
The Canadian wheelchair tennis star from North Bay, Ont., and his Australian partner Heath Davidson were eliminated in the quad doubles semifinals in Melbourne by second seeds Andy Lapthorne of Britain and Sam Schroder of the Netherlands.
Shaw reached the US Open quad doubles final in 2022 and the finals of both Roland-Garros and Wimbledon in 2023. The Australian Open remains the only major where he has not reached the title match.
Shaw also competed in singles at the Australian Open but lost in the first round to world No. 2 Niels Vink of the Netherlands in straight sets.
Three Paralympians on Swimming Canada’s High Performance Athlete Advisory Council
Three Paralympians are on the 2025 Swimming Canada’s High Performance Athlete Advisory Council.
Composed of active and retired high-performance swimmers, the council acts as a critical conduit between Swimming Canada and its athletes.
“I am excited to continue in this role being a voice for athletes,” said Zona. “It is great to continue to work with everyone.
‘’As a group last year, we really pushed for performance to be a priority around the trials relocation and know we will continue to provide athletes’ perspectives to help Swimming Canada in decision-making and feedback processes.”
Pemble, Clement repeat as 2024 Para cyclists of the Year.
Through reader voting, Mel Pemble and Nathan Clement were named Canadian Cyclist’s Para-cyclists for 2024.
Clement, from West Vancouver, also took the award for Best Individual Performance by a Para cyclist. This is the third consecutive award for Pemble and the second for Clement, as well as his second for Best Individual Performance.
“I’m honoured,” said Pemble, from Victoria, who broke a world record in the women’s C3 500m track race and was fourth at the Paralympic Games. “Knowing that people recognize the hard work that goes into a season means a lot. The Paralympics was an amazing experience. Thank you to all who voted for me!”
2023 world champion Clement won the silver medal in the men’s T1 time trial on the road in Paris.
“The 2024 season was a year filled with incredible highs but also moments that tested my resolve and grit. Pushing through those challenges to achieve my childhood dream of winning a Paralympic medal.’’
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