B.C. lands on the podium in Biathlon, Para Alpine and Target Shooting

By Christine Ulmer, Team BC Communications

Team BC earned three medals at the Canada Winter Games on Tuesday in Prince George taking a bronze in the men’s team air pistol target shooting and two silvers – the first in the 7.5 km female biathlon, followed by silver in men’s para alpine giant slalom.

The biathlon medal went to Burns Lake’s Emily Dickson. The medal was her second of the Games, she earned a bronze in the 12.5 km biathlon event on Sunday.

Dickson, who is a hometown favourite in Prince George, where she attends the Canadian Sport School, was fast on her skis on Tuesday, excelling at the shorter sprint distance and moving a step up the podium from her result earlier in the Games.

“My race was similar to Sunday where I did well in my first time in the range in the prone position,” she explained. “My skiing was solid but I had a few issues with my standing shooting so I had to push hard and ski it off.”

In biathlon, competitors who miss targets are penalized by adding extra laps to their race. Dickson, who is known to be a fast skier, used the penalty to her advantage, skiing hard and landing in second place. 

“I am just so thrilled and excited,” she said. “I am so proud of my teammates and all of the B.C. girls today. Everyone had a solid day with great results and I know I have another good shot in my race tomorrow.”

Dickson’s result wouldn’t be the last silver medal of the day for the host province. North Vancouver’s Mark Robertson finished second in the men’s para alpine giant slalom race.

Robertson’s ascent to the podium was challenging. The 15-year-old skier pushed through some pain to compete in his first race of the season and came away with a silver medal. 

“I’ve been out with a knee injury so that has really affected my training,” he said. “I didn’t know what to expect and it hurt a bit but some Advil and putting it in the snow settled it down.” 

Though giant slalom is not his favourite event, the race went extremely well for Robertson. He spent the months leading up to the Games working with physio and doing a lot of biking, stretching and icing in order to prepare for the race. 

“I finished fourth at nationals last year but this is my first big win,” he said. “It’s pretty special and it’s something I’ve never experienced. The course was really good and the snow was great, absolutely perfect.” 

Brian Ng and Dakota O’Donovan earned bronze in the men’s team air pistol target shooting event. 

Team BC’s men’s curlers earned a big victory over Nova Scotia, posting a score of 8-4.

In the men’s alpine giant slalom Asher Jordan of North Vancouver finished fourth and Kasper Woolley of Squamish ended up ninth. Archer Emerie Watson finished fourth in recurve. 

Team BC’s ringette team suffered two tough losses on Tuesday falling 7-6 to Saskatchewan and 11-3 against Alberta. Jennah Smailes ended up in fifth place in the 7.5 km biathlon sprint.