March 14, 2006 (Torino, Italy) – Another good day on the snow for Canada at the IX Paralympic Winter Games. Alpine skiers Chris Williamson (Markham, ON) and guide Bobby Taylor, Kimberley Joines (Edmonton, AB) and Biathlete Brian McKeever (Canmore, AB) along with guide and brother Robin McKeever all won bronze medals to double Canada’s medal tally at the Games.

In the Alpine category, Kimberley Joines excelled in the sitting category of the Women’s Super-G, crossing the finish line with a time of 1:23.04, just 3.88 seconds behind the first place.

This is Kimberley’s first Paralympic Games and what a debut.

“It’s been wonderful for me just to be at the Games, but to win a medal has made feel like I’m really here” said Joines after the race.

Still on the Alpine slopes, Chris Williamson grabbed his second medal of these Turin Games, stepping on the third step of the podium. Williamson finished the race with a time of 1:14.53, only 0.37 seconds behind first place. He and his guide Bobby Taylor were awarded the bronze medal after the disqualification of the German duo.

“Its not the way I like to win, but I’ll take it.” commented Williamson after learning about the disqualification of the Germany duo. “I certainly wouldn’t protest such a call.”

At Pragelato Plan, Brian McKeever was back on the course following his gold medal performance earlier this week. He did it the hard way: missing 7 of his 10 shots, Brian’s exceptional skiing skills and speed enabled him to stay close to the leader, finishing the race with a time of 22:59.4, good enough for a bronze medal. Brian won gold medal earlier this week in cross country.

“This was definitely more of a skier’s race,” McKeever said following his race. “The best biathletes definitely won today, but we were able to make up some time on that last lap and win bronze.”

In Biathlon, athletes have to do a penalty loop of 200m for each missed shot, which takes an average of 25-30 seconds to complete.

This win was a testimony to the sheer skiing power of the McKeever brothers.

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a not-for-profit, charitable, private organization recognized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The CPC aims to develop and grow the Paralympic Movement in Canada, with a commitment to delivering programs that strengthen the Paralympic Movement in Canada and empower persons with physical disabilities through sport at all levels.

About the Paralympic Games The origin of the Paralympic Games dates back to 1948 when Sir Ludwig Guttman staged the International Wheelchair Games to coincide with the 1948 London Olympic Games. The event gradually grew encompassing other sports and other disability categories, and now the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games are the ultimate competitions for world class athletes with a disability. Canada has participated in every Games since 1968.

In 2006, the Games take place in the same venues as the Olympics in Torino, Italy from March 10th to 19th. This year, it is anticipated that there will be approximately 486 competitors from 39 countries taking part in the Paralympic Games.