March 13, 2010 (Vancouver) - Competition started Saturday in most sports at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver and Whistler. Canada picked up team victories in wheelchair curling twice, sledge hockey and earned four Top 10 finishes in biathlon pursuit competitions. Alpine events were postponed due to fog.

“It was a good way for us to start these Games,” said Blair McIntosh, chef de Mission, Team Canada. “There were no surprises today. Our teams are poised for a strong competition.”

At UBC Thunderbird Arena, Greg Westlake (Mississauga, Ontario) netted two goals as Canada opened their Paralympic sledge hockey title defence with a 4-0 win against Italy. The home team started slow, taking a 1-0 lead into the third period of play.

“Once we got that second goal, I thought we loosened up a little bit and played a little bit better,” said Canadian coach Jeff Snyder. “But we seemed to be tight before that. Just couldn't get the guys to relax and play with confidence.”

One of the most valuable players on the ice was Italian netminder Santino Stillitano who was faced with an onslaught of Canadian offence, specifically in the third period of play. Marc Dorion (Bourget, Ontario) gave Canada a 1-0 lead in the first period when his centring pass banked off an Italian defender's skate and trickled into the net. Canada’s flagbearer for the Opening Ceremony and team captain Jean Labonte (Gatineau, Quebec) added a goal in the third period to make it 4-0. Veteran goaltender Paul Rosen (Thornhill, Ontario) made just four saves in picking up the shutout.

In wheelchair curling, Canada, the reigning world and Paralympic champions, was successful in both of its matches at Vancouver Paralympic Centre. They defeated Great Britain in a surprising 9-3 blowout and ended the day with a 10-5 victory over the United States. An impromptu rendition of O’ Canada came from the fans in attedance as the game reached the final end.

With snow falling for days at Whistler Paralympic Park, four para-nordic athletes reached Top 10 finishes in the three-kilometre biathlon pursuit.

Mark Arendz (Springton, P.E.I.) posted a seventh-place result in the men’s standing category. Admittingly, jitters played a part in the outcome.

“I was happy with my skiing and I think once I shook the nerves a little bit I was able to settle down with my shooting,” said Arendz. “This is the start of my Paralympic career and hopefully I have lots of races to come. Brian McKeever is my role mode and I hope to follow his career.”

McKeever (Canmore, Alberta) and his brother/guide, Robin, tied a personal-best opening day biathlon result with a sixth-place finish. The Thunder Bay, Ontario tandem of Robbi Weldon and her guide, Brian Berry, finished sixth in the women’s visually impaired category. Jody Barber, (Smither, BC), finished 3:17.10 seconds off the frontrunners in her opening Paralympic race.

The women’s 10-kilometre and men’s 15-kilometre sit-skiing races are scheduled for Sunday.

Weather toyed with the thousands of para-alpine fans at Whsitler Creekside as the fog remained and forced the postponement of all events. Fans are encouraged to visit vancouver2010.com for updated schedule information.

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About the Canadian Paralympic Committee

The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) is a non-profit, private organisation with 43 member sports organisations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic Movement.  The CPC is responsible for creating an optimal high-performance environment for the Canadian Paralympic athletes to win at Paralympic and ParaPanAmerican Games.  By supporting Canadian Paralympic athletes and promoting their success, the CPC inspires all Canadians with a physical disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organisations.  For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca.

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For further information please contact:

Michael Cvitkovic, ABC
Press Chief
Canadian Paralympic Committee
mcvitkovic@tenniscanada.com
Phone: (604) 388-8420

John Sims
Assistant Press Chief
Canadian Paralympic Committee
jdsims@shaw.ca
(604) 346-8460   

Marie-Hélène Cayer
Media Relations (French Media)
Canadian Paralympic Committee
mcayer@paralympic.ca
(778) 834-0337