Team BC figure skaters brought home six medals from the 2019 Canada Winter Games.
Figure skating pre-novice mix duo Brendan Giang (Burnaby) and Hailey Yu (Burnaby) had a golden performance at the Canada Winter Games.
"It is very overwhelming and exciting," said Yu."I thought we have a chance to win a medal but after we were sitting in fourth so I wasn't expecting one. I just wanted to enjoy the experience and hope for the best."
The pair have been practicing together for just over one year.
Wesley Chiu (Richmond) has a silver lining to his first Canada Winter Games experience after coming in second in the novice men's figure skating event.
Chiu admits he was a bit disappointed with his long program on Thursday, which scored a 75.12. It was second only to gold medallist Matthew Newnham (Alberta) who judges gave a 91.54. Rio Morita (Ontario), who took bronze, scored a 70.85.
"It wasn't what I was planning on doing, I definitely wanted much more. I really liked my last few elements though and I felt like I tried not to give up and pushed through to the end," said Chiu.
The Team BC skater said he was happy with his short program. Judges scored him a 47.93 in the short program, the best score out of the other eight skaters.
Team BC figure skating dance novice mix duo of Kiera Kam (Burnaby) and Matthew Carter (Langley) won gold.
Both Kam and Carter said they did not expect to skate away with a gold medal before they arrived at the Canada Winter Games in Red Deer.
"I honestly didn't think we would come to the Canada Winter Games so when we got here I was stunned and thought what a great opportunity. I knew there was a lot of great teams coming here, so getting gold — and my partner performing as well as she did — I was so proud and happy. I even cried a little bit, this is just so awesome," said Carter.
The pair have been skating with each other for three and half years and credit their emotional connection as one of the key reasons they did so well.
"I definitely learned a lot from this competition. I learned to keep myself composed as it has been a long season. I also learned how to keep my head in the game and pace myself until I get here," said Chiu. "There is a lot going on here and the large crowd brought it to a different level ... there is a lot of energy on and off the ice."
Brendan Wong (Burnaby) said he was hoping for a top five finish and reached his goal, receiving the silver medal in the singles pre-novice male event.
"It feels great and I am just honoured," said Wong.
He skated to Batman in the short program and Whiplash in the long.
"I'm kind of like Batman. I'm serious and I just wanted to express that on the ice," said Wong. "I feel like I did my best on the ice so I am really happy about that."
David Li (Richmond) took bronze in the same event, scoring a 33.87 in the short program and a 53.32 in the free program.
"I didn't expect it. I just wanted to come here and do my best and have a good experience," he said.
Eric Pahima (Vancouver) took silver in the Special Olympics singles Level II male event.