Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec Athletes Grab Gold at Canada Winter Games Nova Scotia’s Emma Archibald and British Columbia’s Logan Cox win Para Nordic races, Alberta’s Alison Mackie and Quebec’s Alexandre Cormier win 10 kilometre skate-ski race

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I.—Gold medals were spread across four provinces in Para and Olympic streamed races at the Canada Winter Games on Friday in Prince Edward Island.

Nova Scotia’s Emma Archibald and British Columbia’s Logan Cox won the women’s and men’s Para five-kilometre standing races. Alberta’s Alison Mackie and Alexandre Cormier won the 10-kilometre skate-ski events.

Archibald, who is part of Nordiq Canada’s Prospect Team, completed two trips around the 2.5-killometre loop at the Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park at Brookvale in a time of 16:43.8.

“I started off a bit sluggish today, but as soon as I got to the start line I was ready to book it. I gave it my all,” said Archibald. “It is such a great experience here. Having the Para athletes from all of the different provinces together is great.”

Ontario’s Madison Mullin was second at 18:19.6, while Alberta’s Denyse Dawe was third across the line with a time of 21:50.1.

British Columbia’s Logan Cox won his third race of the week in the men’s Para standing classification. Cox posted a winning time of 12:33.1.

“I’m quite happy with it. The first corner I got a glimpse of Jesse (Bachinsky), and decided to work off his pace until we got to a long ski section and made moves on people,” said Cox. “Everything went perfect for me. The skis, the conditions and my team have been great.”

Quebec’s Félix Lafond skied to the silver medal at 14:56.3. Logan Lariviere, of Ontario, was third at 15:18.6.

Para-Nordic skiing has been included in the two-week Canada Winter Games program since 2011 in an effort to ensure there is relevant and competitive race opportunities for developing Para skiers across Canada.

Meanwhile, two athletes from Canada’s west battled for gold in the women’s 10-kilometre skate-ski race.

Edmonton’s Alison Mackie and lexandra Luxmoore (Revelstoke, B.C.), matched strides while charging around the 2.5-kilometre loop. The 17-year-old Mackie took her first gold, and third medal of the week, in a time of 31:25.3.

“This feels great. I followed my race plan and skied with a pack of girls for the first three laps and then felt I was ready, and made a move,” said Mackie. “My goal was to keep with the pack for a few laps and then push. I was really happy with how I followed my game plan.”

British Columbia’s 18-year-old Luxmoore couldn’t match Mackie’s surge and settled for second place at 31:26.1.

Another British Columbia athlete, Marlie Molinaro, posted a third-place time of 31:43.0.

Quebec’s Alexandre Cormier won a thriller in the men’s skate-ski race that saw a large group of athletes from across the country battle it out until the finish line. Cormier clocked a time of 41:24.6.

British Columbia’s Eamon Wilson claimed the silver medal at 41:26.3. Quebec’s Xavier Lefebvre won the bronze medal at 41:27.9.

“It was a very flat course so the pack didn’t separate much. The last part before the descent to the finish line is very windy so no one wanted to take the lead. Before the descent I was exhausted, I was hoping to have good enough skis to stick with first and second, but my legs were too heavy to kick at the end,” said Lefebvre.

“I’m happy with the team performance but I’m a little disappointed that I didnt race tactically well. I attacked too often and it was useless. It’s the experience that comes back and I’m still hungry for a gold medal tomorrow in the relay.”

Lefebvre and his teammates will be a force to reckon with in the relay. Team Quebec has swarmed the Canada Winter Games podium all week.

“I think it’s a proof that Quebec is still one of the main competitors. It’s good to see the wave of talent that is coming with Alexandre Cormier, Justin Boudreau, Ry Prior, Alexandre Bourque, Tory Audet and others,” added Lefebvre. “Everyone on the team pulls each other up, and we even encourage each other during the race. We also have a very good support team that deserves thanks.”

The team relays are set for Saturday.

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