Friday, Feb. 24, 2023
Gymnastics dominated the day with six medals, including four gold, in individual male artistic competition as Team BC added a total of 10 medals at the PEI 2023 Canada Winter Games to remain in second in the overall medal standings.
Team BC Today
- Biathlon: BC pairs finished just off the podium in the single mixed relay on Friday in fourth and fifth. The final day of competition on Saturday will see BC have a chance to add more medals in the mixed relay mix event.
- Curling (F): Kelowna’s Team Rempel finished in seventh place in female curling thanks to a 10-6 win over the host PEI team.
- Freestyle Ski: The first day of moguls competition at Crabbe Mountain in New Brunswick yielded a silver and two bronze medals for Team BC.
- Gymnastics: It was a banner day in the individual events in male artistic gymnastics for Team BC with six medals:three gold, one silver and two bronze. The events wrapped up the Canada Games for gymnastics as BC finishes with nine medals across trampoline and artistic competition.
- Hockey (M): BC battled back multiple times – including almost overcoming a 7-4 deficit in the third period – but ultimately fell 8-6 to Ontario in their semifinal. They will place for Bronze against Quebec at 4 p.m. AST on Saturday.
- Ringette: New Brunswick came out on top in consolation action on Friday. BC will take on Ontario on Saturday in the 7th place game.
- Speed Skating (Long): BC competed in the 1000m and the 10-lap mass start on Friday. Kieran Hanson (Fort St. John) had the best finish of the day, just missing out on a medal with a 4th place finish in the men’s 1000m.
- Speed Skating (Short): Erik Haaheim (Kelowna) finished 9th overall in 1000m action while Calla Haaheim (Kelowna) finished 12th on the women’s side.
- Squash: The BC women swept their matches against Alberta and Manitoba on Friday in team competition and will battle Ontario with gold on the line on Saturday. The BC men head into the final day of team competition in good position after picking up ties against Quebec and Ontario on Friday.
- Table Tennis: BC’s table tennis team wrapped up the tournament by adding another bronze medal on Friday for Burnaby’s Sofia Li in the individual event.
- Wheelchair Basketball: Team BCs wheelchair basketball players delivered on high pre-games expectations winning their semifinal 71-40 over Manitoba and advancing to the gold medal game on Saturday at 7 p.m. AST against Alberta.
Medallists
- Gold | Kai Iwaasa | Gymnastics - Artistic | Floor
- Gold | Kai Iwaasa | Gymnastics - Artistic | Rings
- Gold | Ethan Ikeda | Gymnastics - Artistic | Parallel Bars
- Gold | Blake Morfitt | Gymnastics - Artistic | Horizontal Bar
- Silver | Jackson Martin | Gymnastics - Artistic | Vault
- Silver | Maya Mikkelsen | Freestyle Skiing | Moguls
- Bronze | Ethan Ikeda | Gymnastics - Artistic | Moguls
- Bronze | Lynnette Conn | Freestyle Skiing | Moguls
- Bronze | Cole Carey | Freestyle Skiing | Moguls
- Bronze | Sofia Li | Table Tennis | Individual (F)
Team BC Spotlight
Team BC Talks
Kai Iwaasa (Richmond) | Gymnastics | on winning gold in floor and rings
“Going into this competition, I knew there were a lot of improvements I needed to make. I was just focusing on floor – my biggest event. I am happy I was able to deliver. I am just really happy with what I’ve done.”
On the Team BC performance in male gymnastics
‘These boys have just proven themselves in every way. It’s just been amazing seeing these guys showing their best. We finished strong. I am really, really proud of what they’ve done. This is one of the best outcomes, I’d say.”
Ethan Ikeda (Mission) | Gymnastics | on winning gold and bronze
“So far, it’s been awesome. I’ve had a great time with the boys and competing here. I am super happy to have won two medals today. It’s very exciting”
Blake Morfitt (Langley)| Gymnastics | on winning gold and team silver earlier in the week
“There was a lot of pressure. I was last up on the last event. All eyes were on me. But, we brought home the gold for Team BC. It was far beyond my expectations. I came here just to get some experience and have some fun. Coming out with two medals was incredible.”
On his Canada Games experience
“It was all insane. This is like nothing like I’ve ever had before. The energy was amazing, everyone was cheering for you, no matter what province you are from. It was beautiful. We all became one big family here. I will hopefully use my experience here to help the boys at my gym and to help them improve their skills.”
Jackson Martin (Campbell River) | Gymnastics | on winning silver in vault and his Canada Games experience
“It was pretty amazing. I was the only one doing a lower-value skill and I ended up sticking it and it ended me up in silver. It’s such an amazing feeling with all the hype with the team. I was just coming here to do my best and have fun and I ended up having such a great day and I got myself a silver medal. Team BC is such a strong team. I love the energy they provide. I’m so proud to be a part of it.”
John Carrol (Coquitlam) | Head coach | Gymnastics | On the team’s performance
“It’s a really exciting time for us. These boys have worked really hard to get to this point. To watch it all come to fruition, right now on this day is absolutely amazing. In 2019, we were able to win just one bronze medal on the men’s gymnastics team. For us, it’s absolutely an incredible rise. I’ve been coming to Canada Games since 1987 and I can’t remember BC having such a strong showing, so it’s super exciting to watch these boys today.”
Maya Mikkelsen (Whistler) | Freestyle skiing | on winning a silver medal
“I was very nervous for some reason. I was pretty stressed out because I wanted to keep my silver medal spot or do better. So, I am really happy that I put down my best run of the day.”
Sofia Li (Burnaby) | Table Tennis | on winning three bronze medals at the Canada Games
“I was very, very excited. Overall, the entire event, the entire games, will be something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
On every member of BC’s table tennis team winning a medal at the Games
“It is definitely an accomplishment for all of us. We all fought well.”
Ivy Liao (Vancouver) | Team Manager |Table Tennis | On Team BC’S performance at the Games with multiple bronze medals
“What a week! The athletes have had a long and exhausting week. It was amazing supporting them in their journey and watching them grow and seeing all of their hard work pay off. They continued to exceed expectations throughout the week. The athletes have been just so strong. I’m very proud of them. Bronze is the new gold!”
Marnie Abbott-Peter (Enderby) | Assistant coach | Wheelchair basketball | on BC moving onto the gold medal match after winning semifinal against Manitoba
“I think it’s really exciting for the program and great for Team BC. I think these athletes have earned the right to be there.They trust their training and the program and I think we’ll have a good performance tomorrow [Saturday]. My job is to check in with everybody and see how they are with the nerves. I want to make sure everyone’s ready to go and make sure they don’t overthink too many things.”
Hannah Rempel (Kelowna) | Curling (f) | on winning BC’s final match to place seventh at the Canada Winter Games and her overall Games experience
“My Games experience was pretty good. I really enjoyed playing against different teams that we haven’t played before. Once you’ve gone to a couple of provincial championships, you end up playing against the same teams. I’ve never been this far east. It’s different looking out at an ocean and seeing an entirely different ocean than you are used to. Everyone here has been so nice, it’s been a positive experience for me and for the team as well. We really enjoyed being here and representing our province.
Roanan Tien-Vidal (Richmond) | Speed skating (short) | on learning to improve by being at the Canada Winter Games
“It’s a great learning experience. I’ve been getting to meet a bunch of skaters that I don’t usually get a chance to skate with.They are all willing to answer any questions before and after races. A lot of them like to go over the races and teach me what I need to work on because they have more experience.”
Maya Mikkelsen (Whistler) | Freestyle skiing | on winning a silver medal in moguls
“I was very nervous for some reason. I was pretty stressed out because I wanted to keep my silver medal spot or do better. So, I am really happy that I put down my best run of the day.”
Lynnette Conn (Powell River) | Freestyle skiing | on winning a bronze medal in moguls
“I qualified in [for the finals] at fifth. So, I knew I needed to change a few things before my final run. I just tried to clean up and slow down my pace a bit to make it look pretty.”
Cole Carey (Panorama) | Freestyle skiing | on staying relaxed and in the zone during his bronze medal performance
“Sometimes some little thoughts come into your head.I know what I am doing, so I just stick to what I know from training. I was stoked. I’m a guy that’s known for a little celebration at the bottom of the run when I have a good run. And I had a nice little celly there and I was stoked when I came over the finish there.”
Team BC Tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 25)
*medal opportunity | Times in AST (PST +4hrs)
Schedule subject to change. Check here for latest schedule.
9:00am – Ringette | 7th Place Game vs Ontario | Cavendish Farms Wellness Centre
9:20am – Speed Skating (Short) | 3000m Points Placement Starts | North Rustico CG Centre
*10:00am – Biathlon | Mixed Relay Final | Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park
*11:15am – Speed Skating (Short) | 3000m Points Race Finals | North Rustico CG Centre
*12:15pm – Freestyle Skiing | Dual Moguls Competition | Crabbe Mountain, NB
12:30pm – Speed Skating (Short) | Female Team Relay Placement | North Rustico CG Centre
*1:15pm – Speed Skating (Short) | Male Team Relay A Final | North Rustico CG Centre
*2:00pm – Freestyle Skiing | Dual Moguls Team Mix | Crabbe Mountain, NB
*3:00pm – Squash (M) | Team Final vs Alberta | Eastlink Centre
*4:00pm – Hockey (M) | Bronze vs Quebec | Credit Union Place
*5:30pm – Squash (F) | Team Final vs Ontario | Eastlink Centre
*7:00pm – Wheelchair Basketball | Final vs Alberta | Chi-Wan Young Sport Centre