Click here to learn more and apply

We are blown away by how many talented skiers there are across Canada, and narrowing it down to one design was no easy feat. Thank you to everyone who submitted a design to this year’s contest!

A three-time Paralympian, Wilkie has captured four medals at these Games – gold in the Para biathlon women’s standing individual and sprint pursuit, silver in the Para biathlon women’s standing sprint, and bronze in the Para cross-country women’s standing sprint classic. She still has one race remaining on Sunday morning, the Para cross-country 20km.

Wilkie, age 25, now has 11 Paralympic medals to her name (five gold, three silvers, three bronze). She is the first Canadian athlete to be selected to be both Opening and Closing Ceremony flag bearer at the same Paralympic Games.

“That was a big surprise, and I said that about being named the Opening flag bearer, but I am shocked once again,” said Wilkie. “It just feels unreal right now because I don’t think there has been a Canadian athlete who has been named in one Games as opening and closing flag bearer, so to be the first definitely feels like I’m setting history. I’m really excited.”

“This has been a really special Games for me. It has been a really emotional Games for myself and a lot of my teammates so it’s going to be a really great way to end the Games. To be able to wave the flag physically and walk is going to be a pretty cool experience. I couldn’t think of a better way to end my third Games.”

At his fourth Paralympic Winter Games, Ideson skipped Canada to its first gold medal since 2014, becoming the first nation to ever complete the tournament undefeated. Ideson, age 49, threw the critical last shots for Canada that secured their semifinal and final victories against South Korea and China. Skip of the team since 2018, he made his Paralympic debut in 2014 and now has two gold and two bronze medals.

“It’s an honour I never thought I would get and one that I’m truly grateful for,” said Ideson. “The biggest honour I could ever imagine.”

“It’s really hard to sum up this whole week,” said Ideson on winning gold and now being named flag bearer. “This is the culmination of a lot of hard work from a great group of people. We have the best team and the best staff and compete for the best country. I am incredibly proud and honoured to have been part of this whole journey.”

“I am so excited for both Natalie and Mark to receive this honour,” said Mac Marcoux, honorary captain, Milano Cortina 2026 Canadian Paralympic Team. “It has been incredible to watch both of them compete here at the Games. Their performances this week speak for themselves – they have added to their already so impressive Paralympic legacies. They are also such great leaders in their sports and for Paralympic sport in Canada, and I can’t wait to watch them carry the flag.”

“Congratulations to Natalie and Mark on being named Closing Ceremony flag bearers,” said Catherine Gosselin-Despres, Chief Sport Officer, Canadian Paralympic Committee. “They both have accomplished so much here at the Games, and it has been a thrill to watch their competitions all week as they led Canada on the field of play. We know they will represent the country with great pride as we celebrate their achievements and those of the entire Canadian Paralympic Team at the Closing Ceremony.”

Canadian viewers can watch Wilkie and Ideson carry the flag for the Canadian Paralympic Team with Closing Ceremony coverage beginning live Sunday on CBC and Radio-Canada at 3 p.m. ET.

About the Canadian Paralympic Team: A total of 50 athletes, including guides, are competing for Canada in six sports at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, taking place March 6-15.

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee: Paralympic.ca

MEDIA CONTACTS
Nicole Watts
Canadian Paralympic Team Communications Lead
nwatts@paralympic.ca / 613-462-2700 (WhatsApp)

Nathaniel Mah
Media Attaché, Para Nordic Skiing
nmah@nordiqcanada.ca / 403-700-4927 (WhatsApp)

Larissa Simone
Media Attaché, Wheelchair Curling
larissa.simone@curling.ca / 365-340-4833 (WhatsApp)

Click here to learn more and apply

If you are a coach, volunteer, parent or participant, please join us for this interactive session with Nordiq Canada’s leadership to learn, share and discuss the future of the organization.

Hosted in-person and online, the purpose of this Town Hall is to engage and consult with the community on important topics that will shape the future of our sport.

We look forward to seeing you there!

DETAILS

When: Sunday, March 8th 2026, 3pm ET

Where: Delta Hotels, Mont Sainte-Anne, QC

How to attend: In person or via Teams link

AGENDA

• 1. Welcome, introductions and objectives – Beckie Scott, CEO
  2. National High Performance Program strategy and structure – Eric deNys, acting High Performance Director
  3. Technique Digital Platform project – Eric deNys
  4. Youth retention and development consultation – Eric deNys
     • U12 race licenses/awards and race recognition
     • Common wax protocol proposal
     • Gender equity in distance events
  5. Long-term Calendar and rational – Jeff Ellis, Events and Officials Manager
  6. Canada Points List – Jeff Ellis
  7. Reclaimed Wood Product opportunity – Jeff Ellis
  8. CCUNC category – Jeff Ellis

The contract renewal coincides with one of Canada’s most successful Olympic performances in recent years, with standout and historic results made possible by the dedication of athletes, coaches, and partners like Haywood Securities. 

Haywood’s support for Canadian cross-country skiing began in 2001. The company’s early investment and belief in the program played a critical role in Canada’s breakthrough at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, where Beckie Scott won Canada’s first-ever Olympic medal in cross-country skiing. 

“Haywood came on when we needed support the most, and their impact and partnership were truly instrumental,” said Beckie Scott, CEO of Nordiq Canada and Olympic Champion. “We now see Haywood supporting this new generation of Canadian talent, who have just proved at the Olympic Games how promising the future is for this team.” 

Haywood Securities has supported Canada’s cross-country athletes for more than two decades, contributing to multiple Olympic, Paralympic, and World Championships medals. 

“We take immense pride in supporting Canadian athletes and being part of Canada’s cross-country ski team,” said Rob Blanchard, President and CEO of Haywood Securities. “This sport reflects qualities we deeply value: resilience, hard work, and excellence. We are honoured to continue standing behind the athletes who represent Canada with such passion and determination on the world stage.” 

As Canada’s athletes prepare for the 2026 FIS Nordic World Junior and U23 World Ski Championships in Lillehammer, Norway, and the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, they will move forward with confidence knowing they carry the support of Canadians nationwide, along with the unwavering commitment of Haywood Securities. 

For more information on Haywood Securities Inc., visit: https://www.haywood.com/ 

Join us as we dig into defining excellence for ourselves, our programs and our clubs. To us, excellence is a process, not a destination. It is about doing things the right way to the best of our capabilities. We believe everyone can strive for excellence, no matter where you are on the pathway.

Dates and Times
Five 90-minute virtual sessions
April 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29
7:30–9:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Location
All sessions will be held virtually. Registered participants will receive the meeting link in advance.

Who Should Attend
Nordic sport coaches at all levels — from community to high performance.

Session Topics

• April 1: Cultural transformation and creating excellence within the development pathway — adopting a solutions-focused approach
• April 8: Engagement across the development pathway — clarifying roles and responsibilities of clubs, divisions, and the NSO
• April 15: Enhancing effectiveness in the daily training environment
• April 22: Monitoring progression — understanding improvement and defining performance growth
• April 29: Building a mentorship roadmap for coaches and clubs — from self-identification to a systemic approach

Cost and Registration
$50 for the full series or $15 per session

Registration is available through The Locker for:

• Full event,
• April 1,
• April 8,
• April 15,
• April 22,
• April 29

Prizes
Sponsor prizes will be drawn during each session for attendees, with a grand prize awarded to one participant who attends all five sessions.