March 14, 2007 (Mount Washington, B.C.) – On the final day of racing at the IPC World Cup in Mount Washington, B.C., Canada’s ParaNordic Team managed to snag another four medals, including the gold medal from Colette Bourgonje, in the women’s sit-ski cross-country sprint.

The win today puts Bourgonje’s total to four gold medals, in as many races. The Saskatoon native was again joined on the podium by teammate Joan Reid, of Salmon Arm, who took the silver medal, while Japan’s Satsuki Kondo finished with the bronze. Another Saskatoon native, Kelsi Paul, just missed giving the Canadians a podium sweep, finishing in fourth-place.

In the women’s blind skier category, Robbi Weldon and guide Brian Barry, both of Thunder Bay, Ont., took the bronze medal behind Japan and Russia. Development team member, Courtney Knight and guide Lisa Wambold, both of Vancouver, posted another terrific result, finishing in fifth-place. Ottawa’s Margarita Gorbounova and guide Sarah Haymen, crossed the line in sixth, while Olga Nazarenko and guide Robert D’Arras, also of Ottawa, took eighth spot.

“These results are terrific,” said Kaspar Wirz, head coach, Canadian ParaNordic Team. “It shows the depth and potential we have. Having the IPC World Cup in Canada gave the development team a chance to test their skills against some of the world’s best ParaNordic athletes and they did extremely well.”

The men’s blind skier category saw Jerry King and guide Robert Cazzola, of Toronto, climb on the podium for another day, taking the bronze medal behind two German competitors.

In the men’s sit-ski category, World Cup rookie Lou Gibson, of Vancouver, collected more valuable World Cup points with his ninth-place finish, while Edmonton’s Tony Flores was 10th. In the women’s standing category, Mary Benson, of Vancouver, was eighth. Finally, Tyler Mosher, of Whistler, B.C., capped off the Canadian results with his 14th-place finish in the men’s standing category.

“The event was a tremendous success,” said Wirz. “The volunteers did an amazing job of preparing the course, and taking care of the competitors. The snow conditions could not have been better and this will hopefully give Canada another chance to host more events of this level in the future.”

The Canadian ParaNordic Team will head to Quebec City, for the National Championships March 21-23, 2007. For more information on the IPC World Cup in Mount Washington visit www.investcomoxvalley.com/2010_CC/IPCEvents.html.