BC Winter Games: Recaps for Friday and Saturday
Friday BC Winter Games Recap
Alpine Skiing Showcases Skill and Spirit at Red Mountain
By Erin Baker
Racers took to the Giant Slalom course at Red Mountain Resort under partly cloudy skies and good visibility for Friday’s BC Winter Games competition. Snow conditions varied across the course, offering both soft, carvable sections in the sun and more technical, shaded areas that demanded precision. As the day progressed and ruts developed, athletes rose to the challenge — adapting their lines and adjusting their approach with determination.
A key delay before the T-Bar slope tested racers’ focus, but the course crew volunteers worked efficiently between runs to maintain a safe, competitive surface. Their quick efforts kept the race moving smoothly and ensured athletes could push their limits with confidence.
Among the local competitors, Aspen Steen and Ira Laurie-Pouloit of Red Mountain Racers embraced both the competition and the experience. Aspen relied on positive self-talk and trust in her skis to navigate the shifting conditions, finishing 17th overall after sitting 14th following her first run. Ira focused on strong technical cues — especially maintaining pressure on his outside ski — and delivered an impressive 7th-place finish.
“BC Games means meeting new people and having fun, I’m not really here to win,” Ira shared, reflecting the heart of the event. Throughout the day, team jackets lined the hill, racers laughed between runs, and supporters cheered enthusiastically from the sidelines. Backed by nearly 90 dedicated volunteers who began preparations well before race day, the Giant Slalom was a true celebration of resilience, community, and mountain spirit.
Karate Referees Bring Experience and Curiosity
By Caleb Reid
At Stanley Humphrey, the focus wasn’t only on competition, but also on the officials guiding it. Senior referee Chris Wilkinson has dedicated 40 years to karate, a journey that began when his parents offered him a choice between hockey and martial arts. He chose karate — and never looked back. Now, he continues to advance his craft with the goal of earning his PKF license.
Wilkinson believes officiating requires more than rule knowledge. His advice: “Be curious, not judgemental.” That mindset shapes how he approaches athletes and competition alike.
Junior referee Santiago represents the next generation of officials. Signed up for karate at just three years old, he has stayed committed ever since. As a referee, he explains, vigilance is key — staying alert to ensure fairness and safety in every match.
Together, the referees reflect the dedication and continuity within the sport, blending decades of experience with youthful commitment to support athletes at the BC Winter Games.
More Than Medals at the Biathlon Range
By Karlie Shaughnessy
Under winter skies at the Black Jack Ski Club Biathlon Range at Hanna Creek, young athletes tested their endurance and focus in Friday’s competition. Combining cross-country skiing with rifle marksmanship, biathlon demands both stamina and composure — and competitors rose to the occasion.
In the girls’ race, Maisie Hoehn of Prince George (Zone 8) captured gold in 16:05.87. “It’s been a great experience meeting new people,” she said, noting she would gladly return to compete in the area. Silver went to Nara Bird of Kimberley (Zone 1), while Mika Verstragte (Zone 2) claimed bronze.
In the boys’ competition, Marcus Par of Kelowna (Zone 2) earned gold with a time of 14:52.05. Emphasizing the experience over results, he encouraged future athletes to “enjoy the moment.” Spencer Burkholder (Zone 5) and Leo Markson (Zone 2) rounded out the podium.
Across both divisions, athletes spoke of friendships formed and pride in representing their zones — reminders that the Games are about connection as much as competition.
Sprint Racing Brings Speed and Resilience to Black Jack
By Ed Garlinge
The atmosphere at Black Jack Ski Club was electric as the skate sprint event delivered thrilling side-by-side racing. Athletes edged around corners and fought for position with focus and determination, creating an action-packed day on the snow.
Amelia Legut-Peterson of Caledonia Nordic (Zone 8) said the most rewarding part was “meeting new friends and just hanging out.” She candidly described the mental challenge of being passed mid-race, highlighting the resilience required in sprint competition.
Coach Scott Comeau of Hollyburn Ski Club (Zone 5) emphasized the unpredictability of sprinting, where broken poles or sudden falls can change everything. “You’ve just got to get back up and keep going,” he said. Hollyburn athletes Luca Zimmerman and Owen Elliott echoed that perseverance is key.
Beyond the speed and strategy, what stood out most was the camaraderie — athletes bonding through shared challenges and celebrating one another’s efforts long after crossing the finish line.
Hometown Gold Headlines Free Technique Sprint
By Karlie Shaughnessy
Fast skis and tight finishes defined the Free Technique 400m Sprint at Black Jack Ski Club, but one victory carried special meaning. Fourteen-year-old Emily Olineck of Rossland (Zone 1) captured gold in the 2011 Girls category on her home trails.
“Fun, hard and exciting,” she said of her race, adding that representing Rossland at a hometown Games made it especially meaningful. Teammate Mika Saban earned bronze, while Zetta Vines (Zone 5) took silver.
Strong performances continued across categories, with standout finishes from Zones 1, 2, and 5. In the 2012 Boys final, Mateo Colvin of Revelstoke (Zone 2) secured silver, later sharing that the day was about “having fun with friends and meeting new people.” His mother, Julie Matteau, described watching him podium as “pure pride.”
The sprint finals showcased not only speed and precision, but sportsmanship and gratitude — athletes thanking parents and volunteers who made the day possible.
Energy and Banana Suits at the Curling Club
By Kailey Reinhard
The stands at the Trail Curling Club were packed as Men’s and Women’s teams competed in high-energy matchups. Shouts of “hard!” and “whoa!” echoed across the ice as sweepers brushed intensely and skips directed strategy.
Adding flair to the atmosphere were four fathers from Chilliwack dressed in bright yellow banana suits — a playful nod to the curling term “peel.” Their spirited support brought smiles while underscoring the strong community behind the athletes.
On the ice, Zone 6 teams dominated early, securing decisive wins of 12–0 (men) and 17–0 (women) over Zone 7. Meanwhile, Zones 2 and 3 battled through tighter contests, with late-game heroics deciding outcomes. Even in defeat, teams remained positive, already looking ahead to their next opportunity for gold.
Grace and Grit at Beaver Valley Arena
By Kailey Reinhard
Sequins sparkled and blades carved clean lines into the ice at Beaver Valley Arena during Friday’s figure skating events. Crowds of family and friends filled the stands as athletes prepared during six-minute warm-ups, fine-tuning jumps and spins.
In the Prenovice Women’s Short Program, Alexis Chan (Zone 4) delivered a poised and confident performance to claim first place. Though a few falls occurred, skaters demonstrated resilience, quickly rising and continuing their routines.
The Prenovice Men’s event saw Charles Prothero-Brooks earn top honours with a smooth, confident skate, while Kevin Liu energized the arena with expressive choreography. The Juvenile Men’s Freeskate capped the day with storytelling and athleticism beyond the athletes’ years.
From glittering costumes to emotional performances, the event blended grace and grit — leaving the audience applauding long after the final pose.
Saturday BC Winter Games Recap
Yesterday was a full and exciting day at the Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games, with all sports in action across our host communities. With so much happening at once, we were unfortunately unable to provide coverage from every venue — but here are the stories we were able to capture from an unforgettable Saturday of competition.
Wheelchair Basketball
J.L. Crowe Secondary | By Caleb Reid
Wheelchair basketball brought energy and heart to J.L. Crowe on Saturday, highlighting both passion for the sport and the importance of opportunity.
Coach Shantele Styles began playing basketball at just five years old and joined the BC Winter Games at 12. Now coaching, her goal is simple but powerful: to create opportunities for athletes to compete in real games against teams from other regions — not just scrimmages at home. She wants players to experience the excitement, growth, and confidence that comes from meaningful competition.
Athlete Cole Palmer, who started playing two years ago, shared his enthusiasm for the sport. While wheelchair boxing is his main discipline, basketball has quickly become something he loves. His message was clear: it’s a sport worth trying, and he believes everyone should have the chance to play.
Archery
J.L. Crowe Secondary | By Caleb Reid
At the archery venue, new athlete Sam Eld demonstrated that sometimes the best way to start something is to simply sign up and give it a shot.
Sam has been practicing archery for just six months. He decided to enter the Games to challenge himself and gain experience. His goal moving forward is straightforward — keep practicing and continue improving.
Beyond the competition, Sam said one of the coolest parts of the experience has been meeting new people. For many athletes, it’s these connections that make the Games about more than just hitting the target.
Skiing
Red Mountain | By Stuart Garlinge
At Red Mountain, we caught up with local racer Jaime Ansede to talk about his BC Winter Games experience.
The 14-year-old from Zone 1 has been skiing since he was about one year old, thanks to weekends spent on the hill with his parents. Over time, that early exposure turned into a love for ski racing.
Jaime says one of the biggest pros of racing is the energy and competitiveness. With multiple disciplines to try, every run presents a new challenge — and meeting skiers from across the province is one of the best parts. Of course, the sport comes with setbacks. In fact, Jaime lost a ski mid-race on Saturday. “Moments like that aren’t great,” he admitted, “but they’re part of the sport.”
For him, the BC Winter Games are about more than results. It’s the shared experiences, friendships, and collective love of skiing that stand out most.
Curling Semifinals
Trail Curling Club | By Kailey Reinhard
Semifinals at the Trail Curling Club brought intensity and anticipation as teams battled for spots in the gold medal finals.
The tension was palpable. Stones glided down the ice with precision, sweepers worked tirelessly, and pom poms shook in the stands as bells rang out across the arena. Athletes, many up since dawn preparing for what could be three games in a single day, showed both focus and resilience.
An early equipment malfunction for the Zone 8 Men’s team broom was resolved quickly by attentive staff and coaches, keeping play on schedule. On the women’s side, Zone 3 demonstrated strong control against Zone 5, capitalizing on key scoring opportunities. Both men’s semifinals remained tight through seven ends, with Zones 2 and 3 tied at three in one matchup, and Zones 8 and 3 locked at seven in the other. Ultimately, Men’s Zone 2 and Zone 3 advanced to the final.
Meanwhile, the Women’s Zone 7 and Zone 8 teams battled through an extra end to determine seventh and eighth place. With Zone 8 down a player due to health concerns, they pushed through adversity and secured the win. Across the ice, emotions ran high — joy, disappointment, and pride unfolding in real time.
Curling Finals
Trail Curling Club | By Kailey Reinhard
The gold medal matches delivered dramatic finishes and powerful displays of sportsmanship at the Trail Curling Club.
In the men’s final, Zones 3 and 2 went stone for stone in a tightly contested battle. Zone 3 gained a slight edge in the fourth end, applying early pressure with precise draws and disciplined defence. Zone 2 responded with steady sweeping and smart shot selection, keeping momentum constantly shifting. In a thrilling finish, Zone 3 secured gold by just a single point.
The bronze medal game saw Zone 5 take control over Zone 8, building a strong lead and ultimately claiming a 13–0 victory after the game was called in the seventh end. Despite the loss, Zone 8 responded with maturity and positivity, staying to cheer on fellow competitors. Graeme Burke reflected, “We accepted it and had fun instead of drowning in our sorrows.” His words captured the spirit of growth and camaraderie that defines the Games.
The women’s gold medal game between Zones 3 and 6 was equally gripping, with close scoring throughout. Zone 6 emerged victorious with a hard-earned 7–5 win. In the bronze matchup, Zone 5 pulled ahead late to defeat Zone 4 by a score of 7–3.
During the medal ceremony, tension gave way to celebration. Athletes shared smiles and proud embraces, and a special dedication to the ice maker earned enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. The arena then joined together in singing the Canadian national anthem — heartfelt, spirited, and a fitting close to an unforgettable competition.
As the final stones were thrown and the last medals presented, the Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games officially came to a close. It has been a week filled with determination, sportsmanship, new friendships, and moments of pride across every venue.
Watch for additional recaps and highlights on our social media at @bcwintergames.ca and on our website in the coming days.
A heartfelt thank you to all sponsors, volunteers, officials, and community members who made these Games possible. Your dedication created an experience these young athletes will carry with them for years to come.
And now, we proudly pass the flag to the Kelowna 2026 BC Summer Games — your turn to carry the spirit forward!
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