Sixteen B.C. figure skaters from seven clubs have qualified for the
2019 Canada Winter Games.
Team BC will compete at the Games in Red Deer. Alta. this February. The athletes were named to the team following the conclusion of the Canadian Tire National Skating Championships in Saint John, N.B.
Novice Men entry Wesley Chiu (Richmond), leads the team to the games after recently winning the Canadian Novice Men’s Title in Saint John. David Li (Richmond) leads the Pre-Novice skaters to Red Deer. Li is considered a medal favourite after winning the silver medal in Pre-Novice Men at the Skate Canada Challenge Event in December in Edmonton, Alta.
Novice Women entry, Emily Millard (North Vancouver), leads the women to the games after winning the bronze medal in the Novice Women Event at the Canadian Tire National Skating Championships.
Novice Ice Dancers, Kiera Kam (Burnaby) and Mathew Carter (Langley) are heading into the Games coming off of a strong season so far, including winning the silver medal in the Novice Dance Event at the Canadian Tire National Skating Championships in Saint John.
Rounding out the Figure Skating Team are four Special Olympic Figure Skating entries. Jeff Leung (Vancouver) and Eric Pahima (Vancouver) will compete in Special Olympics Level II Men, Jennifer Utendale (Surrey) is the entry in Special Olympics Level II Women and Kari Trott (Port Alberni) is the entry in Special Olympics Level III Women.
The coaching staff will consist of Aaron Lowe (Vancouver) and Keegan Murphy (North Vancouver). The Special Olympics figure skating coach is Jessica Chapelski (Vancouver) and the figure skating team manager is Joan Omasta (Kamloops).
The Canada Games are the premier multi-sport competition in the country. Twice every four years the provinces and territories come together for this two week event (Canada Summer and Winter Games). The 2019 Canada Winter Games are taking place from Feb. 14 to March 3 in Red Deer. The figure skating competition takes place during the second week of the games.
Team BC is comprised of the following athletes (Athlete’s clubs and hometowns are in brackets):
Pre-Novice Women
Maho Harada (Connaught SC, Surrey)
Emily Sales (Kelowna SC, Kelowna)
Pre-Novice Men
David Li (Connaught SC, Richmond)
Brendan Wong (Champs ISC of BC, Burnaby)
Novice Women
Vienna Harwood (Kelowna SC, West Kelowna)
Emily Millard (Champs ISC of BC, North Vancouver)
Novice Men
Wesley Chiu (Connaught SC, Richmond)
Shuma Mugii (Champs ISC of BC, Vancouver)
Novice Dance
Kiera Kam(Inlet SC, Burnaby) & Mathew Carter(Champs ISC of BC, Langley)
Pre Novice Dance
Hailey Yu (Inlet SC, Burnaby) & Brendan Giang (Champs ISC of BC, Burnaby)
Special Olympics Level II Women
Jennifer Utendale (North Surrey SC, White Rock)
Special Olympics Level II Men
Jeff Leung (Sunset SC, Vancouver)
Eric Pahima (Sunset SC, Vancouver)
Special Olympics Level III Women
Kari Trott (Mt. Arrowsmith SC, Port Alberni)
About Team BC
Team BC brings together the best athletes, coaches, managers, and mission staff to represent British Columbia at the Canada Summer and Winter Games. Team BC will send a delegation of 320 athletes, coaches, managers, and mission staff to represent British Columbia at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Feb. 15 to March 3. Visit www.teambc.org for the latest news and updates.
About the Canada Games
The Canada Games are a national multi-sport competition with participation from every province and territory in Canada. The Games are held every two years, alternating between winter and summer. The 2019 Canada Winter Games will be held February 15 to March 3 in Red Deer, bringing together approximately 3600 athletes, coaches, and managers from every province and territory to compete in 19 sports. Visit www.canadagames.ca to learn more.
For further information please contact:
Courtney Lott
Skate Canada (BC/Yukon)
(B) (604) 205-6960
email:
courtney@skatinginbc.com
Judy Joseph Black
Team BC Communications Manager
BC Games Society
E:
judyjb@bcgames.org
W: 250-356-8765
C: 250-812-7189